TURNERS FALLS — The Pocumtuck Homelands Festival, a celebration of Native American culture and heritage, brought people from all walks of life together on Saturday and Sunday at Unity Park.
The bike path along the Connecticut River, directly across the river from the site of the bloody Battle of Peskeomskut, flowed with both tribal people looking to connect with their culture and non-tribal attendees taking the time to appreciate it. This year — in its eighth year and following last year’s COVID-19 pandemic’s prohibition of gatherings — the festival took on an extra dimension to the theme of reconnection. Some in attendance shared the notion that the event was not just a consolation, but a profoundly healing experience.
“This place is about reconciliation,” said Strong Oak, a Mi’kmak and Maliseet tribesperson, sundancer, discussion facilitator and executive director of the Visioning Bear Intertribal Coalition. “Our ancestors are in our DNA at this very moment.”
The Battle of Peskeomskut, a conflict during King Philip’s War in 1676 between colonial forces and Indigenous peoples in the region that left hundreds dead, lingers in the memories of locals of European and Indigenous descent alike. With generations of tension still being dealt with, both parties at the festival acknowledge the importance of knowing the area’s history.
“It’s important here for the townsfolk to understand what happened here in 1676,” said Ed Gregory, a member of the Montague Historical Commission and both Greenfield and Montague’s historical societies. “It’s part of the history in this area. Not pat-on-the-back kind of history, but history nonetheless.”
For many present, the healing potential of the festival starts with the setting. Mary “Yellow Bird” Chaffee, an Abenaki tribesperson, Gill-Montague Regional School District substitute teacher, and Stone’s Vision Intertribal Band member, motioned to the river behind her collection of animal hide drums.
“The pain of people is in the water. When we shed our tears, it washes over us and cleanses us, just like how the water cleanses us.”
The population in attendance was diverse in terms of cultural connection, from various tribal peoples to passersby with minimal tribal knowledge. Yellow Bird, who said she has attended every Pocumtuck Homelands Festival and has been attending various Native American cultural celebrations for 35 years, said that tribal diversity is particularly something to be appreciated.
“I like the intertribal (events) because it helps people to know all tribes, not just certain tribes,” she said.
“That just speaks to how it always was with the trade routes and the gatherings,” Strong Oak said, regarding the traditional significance of tribal togetherness.
At the same time, tribespeople in attendance made clear that those without tribal affiliation were not only welcome, but encouraged to partake in the celebration.
“If they took the time and stopped to talk to people, they would learn a lot about the people and the area,” Yellow Bird said.
“This is really meaningful not only for us, but for all cultures present,” Strong Oak said. “It’s all about mutual respect, cultural understanding, and it’s for all who live here. That we can be equitable.”
Marty Jaffe, a New York City resident who grew up in Conway, was in town to visit family. He came across the festival and strolled down the bike path in an effort to be “respectfully curious.” Pacing himself with intention, his slow gait through the park matched his wide-eyed expression to evidence his investment.
“It seems like a really positive atmosphere and a really great cultural celebration,” Jaffe said. “There’s a lot of beautiful arts and crafts.”
Underneath the shade of a large event tent, people of all ages and ethnicities filled tightly packed rows of seats to hear the festival’s special guests share traditions and old stories. The audience paid respect with their attention, all quiet except for resonant “mmms” whenever a performer’s words stuck. This listenership exemplified the reception that so many had said was the ultimate goal of the festival.
“I think they all walk away with a lot of learning and knowledge,” Yellow Bird said.
Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-772-0261, ext. 261 or jmendoza@recorder.com.