On Metacom Day—also known as Remembrance Day, for Wampanoag communities—we gather to honor and reflect on the history, legacy, and ongoing impacts of King Philip’s War.
The public part of this day’s observance begins at 12:30 p.m. with a blanket-activity workshop facilitated by Brad Lopes (Aquinnah Wampanoag) and Jannel Carey (Mashpee Wampanoag). This is an interactive learning experience that helps participants understand the historic and ongoing impacts of colonization on Indigenous Nations in this region.
At 2 p.m., the War for the Dawnland panel discussion invites you into a deeper understanding of this pivotal chapter of regional history, from a Wampanoag perspective.
The discussion will be moderated by Tobias Vanderhoop (Aquinnah Wampanoag), and the panelists will include Linda Coombs (Aquinnah Wampanoag), David Weeden (Mashpee Wampanoag), and Dr. Mary Amanda McNeil (Mashpee Wampanoag), who will explore:
Key moments of King Philip’s War through Wampanoag eyes
Misunderstandings and historical erasures—and how they’re addressed
Immediate and long-term impacts of the war on Native Nations
How this history still echoes in the contemporary lives of Wampanoag people
Actions non-Native allies can take to support truth, justice, and healing
This part of the afternoon begins with an orientation to Wampanoag homelands, followed by the moderated discussion and a brief, open Q&A with the audience.
Organized by the Aquinnah Cultural Center, with support from the Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP), this symposium is an invitation to listen, learn, and join in reshaping how this region’s people remember its true past. All are welcome. Come ready to reflect and engage.