February 15 Gathering a Snowy Success

We wish to thank all those who braved yet another winter snowfall to join Nolumbeka Project on Saturday, February 15, for the viewing of the documentary "Great Falls: Discovery, Destruction and Preservation in a Massachusetts Town" at the Great Falls Discovery Center, Turners Falls, MA.

Some of the 50 folks who braved the snow February 15

After opening words by Nolumbeka Project President Joe Graveline and a song by activist Lance Smith highlighting our efforts to protect the Ancestors at White Ash Swamp in Greenfield,  about 50 folks watched the film which chronicles the events surrounding the discovery of a sacred ceremonial site in Turner's Falls and draws on the efforts of Byron Dix and other researchers to present the case for the existence of the vast ceremonial landscape created by Native Americans throughout New England before the arrival of the European colonists.  

Photo by Anne Wellington

Afterwards a lively discussion took place and folks enjoyed Howard Clark's Native Garden Display and refreshments. We are grateful to Anne Wellington for this photo of elements of Howard's display. 

The unique corn displayed across the bottom of the photo is an ancient strain of pod corn. With everyone's help this spring, we plan to plant more of this rare seed, a traditional three sisters garden,  and a cornplanter tobacco garden.

Contact us at nolumbekaproject@gmail.com if you are interested in participating in our gardening efforts.

Help Wanted

We really need someone to serve as treasurer for the Nolumbeka Project and someone to help file the non-profit tax form. If you are able to assist, please contact us at nolumbekaproject@gmail.com. We will be very grateful.
 

On Saturday, February 15, the Nolumbeka Project will present the documentary "Great Falls: Discovery, Destruction and Preservation in a Massachusetts Town" at the Great Falls Discovery Center, Turners Falls, MA. Doors open at 11 a.m., movie at 11:45 a.m., discussion to follow. Refreshments will be sold. Admission is free but donations to the Nolumbeka Project are welcome. 
Snow date: May 18, 2014. 
 413-657-6020

The film chronicles when in 2009 the town of Turners Falls, Massachusetts, was attempting to expand the runway to its airport. The plan called for the removal of a low hill that contained what Native American tribal representatives identified as a ritual site - a ceremonial stone landscape. The surprising discovery and the on-going effort to understand and protect what was identified as an extraordinary historical asset, is a dramatic story of environmental and cultural preservation. The film, directed by Ted Timreck and produced by Ted Timreck and Peter Frechette, is part of the Hidden Landscapes Project which represents the joined efforts of hundreds of professional, Native and antiquarian researchers who have generously volunteered to combine their expertise into a chronicle of exploration- a series of video stories that investigate the archeological history and the modern legacy of Eastern Native civilization. The combined vision of so many researchers working together also represents a new approach to the long standing and often, very heated controversy that surrounds the mysterious stone ruins of Eastern North America.

On this day, the Nolumbeka Project will be celebrating its first year as the holder of the deed to, and stewards of, the historic 10,000year old Wissatinnewag village site in Greenfield, MA, located on the west bank of the Connecticut River at the foot of the Great Falls.Members of the Project are humbled and grateful for the challenges and rewards this stewardship has manifested and welcome others to takethis opportunity to join the organization.