Sacred Journey to Deer Island an Important Step in Ongoing Journey Toward Repair and Healing
With a Nor’ Easter blasting up the coast, almost 150 Episcopalians and Native people headed to Deer Island in Boston Harbor on Indigenous Peoples’ Day for a long-planned sacred journey—tracing the path that was forced on Native people when they were expelled to the island in 1675-1676. Hundreds of Native people from “praying towns” died from exposure and starvation that winter—in the midst of King Philip’s War. This journey was part of a broader call made by Bishops Fisher and Whitworth in their joint letter last June charging us to become active allies with Natives across Massachusetts and “begin to repair what has been broken.”
A Sacred Ceremony
On the island, Native ceremonial leader Peter Silva provided an introduction to all present on what they would be witnessing. Members of the Nipmuc tribe and others then gathered in a circle and held a sacred ceremony—commemorating the forced removal of their ancestors during King Philip’s War—which concluded with a round dance, in which all were invited to participate.
“This was not a field trip,” says The Rev. H. Mark Smith, convenor of the Right Relations and Allyship Working Group for the Diocese of Massachusetts. “It was an important step in a journey through lamentation towards repair and reconciliation, in hopes of healing. We want to create a movement of local worshipping communities building their own relationships with Native people.”
Opening the Doors for More Dialog
For some of the Nipmucs present, the day offered a moment of reflection and an opening for all to learn about the Nipmuc’s history. “I was really happy that people wanted to know more about what happened,” says Carolyn Hasgill, a lifelong resident of Natick who identifies with the Nipmuc Indian tribe and is a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Natick. “When I recently saw that mural [John Eliot Speaks to the Natick Indians] in the post office, it got me thinking about my ancestors. They were taken out to Deer Island. Why did this happen? After we taught the colonists how to survive, they took over, wanted our land, and wanted to get rid of us. I think people had a better understanding after Monday. The smudging, water ritual, and drumming—they reached people. We accomplished something—people learned and it opened doors for more dialog.”
Maria Turner, Nipmuc tribal council chairwoman, says that it was important for people “to know that we are still here and not going anywhere.” While she says it is hard not to have open access to lands where Natives were interned, to offer sacred offerings and prayers, Maria comments that “Some people want to know the real story because history doesn’t teach the whole story, and that is why I thought it was important to do this sacred journey. I hope that what we experienced on Monday can become bigger and better. Maybe it starts with Natick and we pull in other towns and councils and supporters and allies. Some still have regrets about churches because of the assimilation. But we have to grow here and I hope this might be an opening for us to talk about our lifestyle, in schools for example.”
Building Deep Listening, Relationship, and Respect
“It was a remarkable privilege to join three busloads of Episcopalians and our Native siblings to remember and repent of the history of atrocity at Deer Island,” says The Rt. Rev. Julia E. Whitworth, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. “We were reminded that our job is to be a part of mutual healing and repair, built on deep listening, relationship, and respect. I’m so grateful for this important work and the opportunity to be a part of it.”
The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, calls on us to be truth-tellers in our communities: “For the past three years, it was our practice to listen. We spent Indigenous Peoples’ Day listening to the stories of Native people. This year, with the strong, faithful leadership of the Diocese of Massachusetts, we encountered one another in a different way, in a different context, in a spirit of prayer. The sacred ritual we shared together was very powerful. Now we have to be truth-tellers in our communities and make sure the story we heard is remembered.”
Continuing the Conversation
All who participated in the sacred journey are invited to a virtual meeting on October 30 for further reflection together. “I saw our dance at the end of the ceremony as a sign of unity in our journey towards healing,” says The Rev. Smith. “The conversation will continue on the 30th and beyond.”
“This sacred journey, which was an important step in a long healing pathway, was touching in many ways,” says The Rev. Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa, Canon for Immigration and Multicultural Ministries. “Many thanks to our siblings, Native people who made this possible and welcomed us in their midst. Let’s continue the journey.”
Those interested in information on how to join the ongoing work of developing allyship with Native people in our midst should contact Deacon Smith at hmsmith46@gmail.com.