The Battle Continues in Turners Falls on January 13
After having been unilaterally removed from the agenda of their previous meeting by Selectmen Chair Mark Fairbrother, the Montague Board of Selectman now plans to consider supporting an application for a grant to study the tragic events that occurred at the Great Falls in 1676 at their next meeting -- only two days before the deadline for it's submission! A number of residents of Montague, including former Selectperson Patricia Allen, have expressed dismay over Fairbrother's obstructionism. (See Greenfield Recorder, Battle or massacre? Turners delays vote on study grant proposal)
Originally brought forward by Narragansett tribal preservationist Doug Harris, this effort to receive National Park Service battlefield preservation funding is now being coordinated by Nolumbeka Project board member David Brule and has the support of the the Narragansett, Wampanoag and Nipmuck tribes, as well as the historical commissions of Gill and Greenfield and other groups. The grant proposal calls for documenting the complete and unfiltered view of events by the Native American tribes of the region, a much needed and long overdue perspective on the history of our region.
Nolumbeka Project encourages supporters to join us in a show of support:
Montague Board of Selectmen Meeting, 7 PM, Monday, January 13, at Town Hall, 1 Avenue A,
Turners Falls
Greenfield Native American Burial Ground Ordinance Moves Forward?
A revised draft of a ordinance to provide better protection for Native American burial and reburial sites in Greenfield will be the subject of a meeting between Nolumbeka Project President Joe Graveline, Narragansett Deputy Tribal Preservation Officer Doug Harris, Mayor William Martin, Town Council President Mark Wisnewski, and Councilor David Singer on Tuesday, January 14.
(Read Draft Ordinance)
Having received the full support of the town's Appointments and Ordinance Committee, it was originally anticipated that it will be on agenda of the full Town Council at their January meeting. At this point it is unclear if this will actualy happen. Please stay tuned for updates here at Nolumbeka Now! and on the Nolumbeka Project Facebook Page and be prepared to join us in a show of support at the Greenfield Town Council Meeting, Wednesday, January 15, 7 PM, GCTV, 393 Main Street, Greenfield.
Town of Gill Considers Solar Farm for Native Burial Site
Although a decision has been delayed because the developer isn't yet prepared to move forward, the Town of Gill is still considering a community solar development on the 12 acres of the Maramante property owned by the town -- a site that has been proven to include 280 burials in a region of Gill that research has shown to include Native American skeletal remains dating back thousands of years!
Please check in with Nolumbeka Now! and our Facebook Page for updates our effort to protect and preserve this important site.
