Pilgrimage to Deer Island on Indigenous People's Day
Join us on October 13, 2025 as Episcopalians in the Commonwealth mark the beginning of the 350th anniversary of Metacomet’s Rebellion (King Philip's War) with a pilgrimage to Deer Island, MA – the internment site where hundreds of Native people died from exposure and starvation in the winter of 1675 - 1676. This spiritual experience of place, presence, and reflection will be guided by Native neighbors, supported by Episcopal congregations, and include the bishops of both dioceses. This is a family-friendly event. A resource is being prepared for young children.
October 13 - DRAFT Schedule for WMA Participants
8:00 am -- Van leaves Christ Church Cathedral
9:00 am -- Arrive at St. Paul's, Natick for light continental breakfast
10:00 am -- Bishop's welcome, prayer, preparation for the day
11:00 am -- Buses leave for 60 min drive to Deer Island
12:30 pm -- Ceremony led by Native neighbors followed by a meal together, and time to experience the place in silent reflection
3:00 pm -- Buses return to St. Paul's
5:00 pm -- Arrive back at Christ Church Cathedral
Registration open September 3
This joint IPD event is co-sponsored by both Episcopal dioceses in the Commonwealth. Funding from our Social Justice Commission will help compensate native scholars and storytellers. There is no cost for participants, but donations are most welcome.
Massachusetts Episcopal Bishops support MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda
June 16, 2025
Dear faithful in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
As your bishops, we have committed ourselves to the spiritual work of racial reconciliation. This includes, but is not limited to, the irreparable harm done to native people, lands, and culture begun by European colonists in the 17th century.
The Episcopal Church formally repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery in 2009 rejecting the flawed theology that put God on the side of death and destruction, but the generational trauma of cultural genocide has not been publicly addressed by the church in the Commonwealth. We address it here in the hope of the Easter event and in faith, with humility. We invite you to be part of the work of repair.
For generations we have lived, worshipped, and engaged God’s mission on the unceded land of native peoples. From the coastal lands of the Wampanoag, Massachusett, and Patuxet, to the central lands of the Nipmuc and Agawam and to the western lands of the Pocumtuc, Nonotuck, Mohican, and the Dawnland Confederacy, the artificial borders of states and dioceses have largely ignored the rights of the first people of this place. We wish for this injustice to end in our time.
Elizabeth Ellis and Rose Stremlau, “Land Acknowledgements: Helpful, Harmful, Hurtful,” AHA Perspectives on History, link here.
Native Governance Center, “Beyond Land Acknowledgement: A Guide,” link here.
Excerpt from Understanding and Teaching Native American History, “Land Acknowledgements in Higher Education: Moving Beyond the Empty Gesture,” pdf here.
Who were the indigenous peoples who lived on the land where you live and worship now? Where you grew up? Use this handy tool to learn more about the native peoples anywhere in the Americas, and other places. Choose “Label” and zoom in to an area in your neighborhood.
