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HCA invites Natick Nipmuc tribe, community to land acknowledgment ceremony

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts will honor the heritage of its property on Hayden Rowe Street and the town’s greater indigenous history with a land acknowledgment ceremony next month.

On April 12, the HCA invites community members to join it and representatives of the Natick Nipmuc tribe outside (weather permitting) at its amphitheater. A reading of the acknowledgment will be accompanied by music, storytelling, a drum performance and more.

“It’s something we’ve wanted to do for a long time,” said HCA executive director Kelly Grill. “It’s an opportunity to take a moment to recognize the people that were here before us.”

Grill said the process to get to this point has taken a long time. She reported that the HCA had worked with the Natick Nipmuc tribe, regional cultural centers, Linda Connelly of the Hopkinton Historical Society and other town officials to understand the indigenous history of Hopkinton and who to recognize as the land’s initial inhabitants.

“It was difficult because so many of the tribes [in Nipmuc territory] were scattered and in different places,” she explained. “We consulted a number of sources and hope we did a good job.”

Nipmuc peoples previously inhabited Hopkinton before Rev. John Eliot developed the Magunco settlement with “praying Indians” — Native Americans who converted to Christianity. Sources indicate that these native settlers were pushed out of Magunco to Natick following King Phillip’s War in 1676. The Natick Nipmuc tribe eventually sold the land to the Hopkins Trustees decades later.

Taking time to acknowledge this history is a priority for the HCA, Grill indicated. “It’s a whole process to really educate yourself,” she said. “Everybody has been super helpful in helping us get here.”

The land acknowledgment ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. on April 12 and is free and open to all ages. More information can be found on the HCA’s website.

Latest News

After receiving advice from town counsel regarding a parcel of land at 0 Benson Road, the Planning Board on Monday voted not to approve the owner’s subdivision plan.

The Water-Sewer Department cautioned that a water main break Tuesday on Thayer Heights Road and an upcoming hydrant flow test could cause water discoloration.

The latest Schools Notebook highlights the achievements of local collegians and the Hopkinton High School Science Olympiad A and B teams’ wins at the Harvard Science Olympiad Invitational.

This week’s Move in Style Athlete Spotlight shines on boys swimming junior Owen Picard, who owns the second-fastest 50 free time and third-best 100 free time in HHS history and came back with strong performances at sectionals and state following a season-ending injury last year.

This week’s Senior Snippets features information on a painting class, office hours with state Rep. Arena-DeRosa and a program on women’s suffrage.

Town meetings tonight include the Appropriation Committee (5) and the Trails Committee (7).

Photo of the Day

All eyes are on the wooden cars as they race down the track during Hopkinton’s Cub Scout Pack 97’s annual Pinewood Derby this past Saturday at St. John’s Church.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO