history
how we came to be
On November 2, 2020, the City of Newton voted to officially change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. The 22-2 vote was the culmination of extended advocacy and grassroots efforts by Indigenous residents of Newton and allies. The Indigenous Peoples Day Newton Planning Committee was founded in late 2020, right after the Newton City Council vote.
On October 11, 2021, Newton held its first official Indigenous Peoples Day Ceremonial Celebration at Ablemarle Field. The Indigenous Peoples Day Newton Planning Committee is a volunteer group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Newton residents unified in our vision of a day of remembrance and education and a celebration of Native peoples.
Indigenous Peoples Day Newton's Ceremonial Celebration spotlights and celebrates the music, dance, poetry and visual art of diverse Native artists who currently live in the Northeast. We hope for this event to become a beloved annual event on our city's calendar.
IPD Newton Committee (IPDNC) honors the following Federally-recognized Tribes, State-acknowledged Tribes, and Indigenous leaders as supporting arms of IPDNC:
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Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head/Aquinnah
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Chairman Brian Weeden, Mashpee Wampanoag
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David Weeden with honoring drum, Mashpee Wampanoag
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Chief Sachem Anthony Dean Stanton, Narragansett
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Hiawatha J Brown, Narragansett
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Chairwoman Shannon Holsey, Stockbridge Munsee
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Ambassador Lance Gumbs, Shinnecock
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Chairwoman Melissa Ferretti, Herring Pond Wampanoag