#pocumtuc

The last time I was on Mt. Tom I had this exact thought!! I went looking and couldn't find any sources specifically about the mountains, but I will share what I did find and maybe that will help somebody else find what we are looking for.

First, native-land.ca says that the Nonotuck, Nipmuc, and Pocumtuc all called Mt Tom their home. The Nipmuc and Pocumtuc lived across much of the state, but the Nonotuck were much more localized to what we call Pioneer Valley now. I highly recommend clicking through each nation and the sources listed on that site.

Importantly, members of all three nations still live in the area! While the Nonotuck and Pocumtuck both mostly merged with other nations, the Nipmuc have (at least) two organizations that represent the modern nation: the Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band (nipmuc.gov/) and the Tribal Government of the Nipmuc Nation (nipmucnation.org/). Both groups have many members, events, and education. There seems to be some amount of fighting between them, but I do not know nearly enough about it to make any sort of comment or informed opinion.

The Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band also runs the Hassanamisco Indian Museum in Grafton, MA (eastern-central MA). The website for the museum is currently broken, and Google says it is temporarily closed, so if anybody has any further info about that, that would be great! I'd love to go some time.

There are also a variety of pow wows and similar events held here in Massachusetts that are open to the public. One of the biggest is a Nipmuc pow wow held in the late summer every year. And yes, I have been told directly by multiple indigenous folks that they really actually do want non-natives to go to these events and learn and have fun and buy native-made goods. (https://calendar.powwows.com/events/annual-nipmuck-pow-wow/)

This might be a long shot, but let’s do it!

If you are of the Nipmuc, Pocumtuc, or Mohican Nation and are interested in collaborating/consulting for a small art project, comment below! :D I’d like to make something in honor of the Native Land I live on in time for November. 🍁

Simply put, I’d like to draw something aquatic, with the inspiration and guidance of Native themes. The pictures above are examples of pieces I’ve made for the past three months. No worries if you don’t have creative experience, and there’s no commitment needed to reach out.

Wallump. Their Mark.

Nipmuc/Pocumtuc. A leader at Pojassic and Woronack, the areas in and surrounding so-called “Westfield, Massachusetts.” This document, signed April 25, 1670, details the exchange of 7 or 8 acres of meadow land for “...three acres of old ground for ye

Indians to Plant Corne on this yeare…” and five acres of land yearly thereafter. The land was to be “free from all fencings or payment of Rates to ye english…”

Kin: Alquat (father), also known as Keems, Sachem at Woronoke and Pojassic

Alquat. Alias Keems. Their Mark. 

Nipmuc/Pocumtuc. Sachem at Woronoke and Pojassic, the areas in and around so-called “Westfield, Massachusetts.”

His kin: a son, Wallump.