During the Revolutionary War, General Washington was anxious to secure our northern border. In February, 1776, he wrote a letter to the Mi’kmaq Grand Chief asking for his nation’s aid in the war against the British. A letter was also sent in October, 1775, from the General Court of Massachusetts Bay. Seven Captains of the Mi’kmaq Nation and three St. John’s (or Maliseet) Nation Captains responded and arrived in Watertown on July 10th, 1776. Major Shaw “brought them in his sloop from Machias to Salem, from whence they rode hither in carriage which were provided for them.” They were asked to come in person, for, not understanding each other’s language, it would have been too difficult to communicate in writing.
–Historical Society of Watertown

Join us July 18, 2:00–5:00 PM to celebrate this historic moment with an event featuring:

• Ceremonial drumming by Mi’kmaq women
• Remarks by leaders from the Massachusett, Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, and Watertown
• Hands-on workshops: wampum and corn husk dolls
• Documentary of Mi’kmaq perspectives on the Treaty of Watertown
• Exhibition of current Indigenous artwork
• Military salutes to honor Mi’kmaq and Maliseet veterans of the US Armed Forces
• Performances of “Sma’knis,” composed by Sgt. Will Basque, Vietnam veteran and Mi’kmaq ancestor, and “Lamentation Over Boston,” a contemporary song by William Billings (1778) that recalls the Siege of Boston from a vantage point in Watertown.
• Readings from the Treaty itself and commentary on its impacts from both American and Indigenous perspectives, both historical and contemporary