On this Oct 13, 2025, we honor the horrific events that happened 350 years ago on one of our own Boston Harbor Islands. Massachusetts Pilgrims forcefully relocated hundreds of Native civilians to Deer Island, stranding them there without access to food, water, or medicine at the time. Nearly all of the population died in this horrible massacre. So what really happened in those years on that island?
Breakdown
In the year 1675, Pilgrims who were trying to colonize the East Coast forcefully drove more than 500 Native Americans out of their home of Watertown to Deer Island in what is now Boston Harbor. The population of these natives was tragically mostly children. These indigenous peoples were stranded on the island for years, and the colonists denied them access to food, water, medicine, shelter, or clothing. Nearly all perished in this tragic event, due to starvation or exposure to extreme temperatures. If the Native persons attempted to leave the islands and return to the mainland, settlers were encouraged to “kill and destroy them as they best may or can.”
What’s being done
Among the concentration camps used, Long Island was also one. Some Native Tribes have been making efforts to make it into a Native burial ground and a memorial for the lives lost that day. Collaboration on this has been worked on to make it a reality in the coming years, but Native tribe leaders are still working to get the project approved.
Remembrance
Members of the Wampanoag Indigenous Program will participate in a Sacred Paddle down the Charles River to the Boston Harbor Islands on Saturday, Oct. 30, in dug-out canoes made using the tools and techniques of their ancestors.
The 20-mile trip will commemorate the anniversary of this tragic event and allow the members of the Indigenous population to participate in a part of their history.
The Saint John’s Parish church will also contribute to honoring this memorial. On October 13, people who wish to participate in this event will join in a pilgrimage from St Paul’s Natick to Deer Island by bus. This event will be led and hosted by indigenous peoples. The day will begin at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 139 East Central St., Natick. People interested are invited to arrive at St. Paul’s between 9:00 AM and 9:45 A.M.. A smaller portion will take the pilgrimage on foot, taking multiple days over the weekend. The group that will be participating will be in Winthrop on October 10-11. If anyone would like to offer their home to a pilgrim in those days, please contact the church and let them know. If you need more information, there is a link below.
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