ATHOL – A traffic island at the junction of Mount Pleasant Street and North Orange Road is now home to a monument honoring the original inhabitants of what would come to be known as Athol.

The effort to erect a suitable boulder, with plaque attached, began in February and was led by Athol High School science teacher and coach Charles “Rocky” Stone. Stone said the initiative was supported by Town Manager Shaun Suhoski, Administrative Assistant Bridget Armentrout, the town’s Selectboard and Department of Public Works.

Stone told the gathering of about three dozen people that the event was being held to remember the Nipmucs, a tribe of Indigenous People who lived along the banks of the river they called the Papacontuckquash and which is known as Millers River today.

“They lived here for hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years,” he said. “They lived in harmony with nature and the land.”

Stone said he and the other members of the Nipmuc Memorial Committee began by reaching out to the Nipmuc Nation Tribal Council, headquartered in Grafton. Over a period of five months, the committee spoke with a variety of tribal leaders, “who provided us with support, guidance, and advice.”

Stone then introduced the other six members of the memorial committee: Alan Dernalowicz, Chris Gauvin, Duncan Gordon, Scott Hume, Leanne Stone and Meghan Stone.

“It is no surprise that Rocky came up with the idea to create a monument that would preserve and pay tribute to those who have come before us – the original caretakers – and keep their memories alive for many, many years to come,” said Hume. “It is in his blood.”

Hume then credited Love Richardson of the Nipmuc Nation, who “has been our primary point of contact and mentor. This has been a true collaborative effort between a committee of local citizens, the Town of Athol, and the Nipmuc Nation…This project has been built on the love and respect for those that were the stewards and caretakers of this area before European arrival.”

Among the sponsors who helped make the monument happen are Alan Dernalowicz, Duncan Gordon, Kessler Investments Inc., Joseph A. Mallet Excavating of Athol, Don Matthews Excavating of Warwick, Susannah Whipps, Winston MacDonald, AOTV, and T.S. Mann Memorials.

On hand for the unveiling were Maria Turner, tribal chair of the Natick Nipmuc Tribe, Chief Peter Silva of the Traditional Hassanamisco Band and Rene (Shining Star) McClain, tribal chief of the Wabbaquasset Nipmuc.

“I want to thank the Creator for this day, for the sun, for the wind that blows,” Turner began, “for our ancestors that stand around us in circles. I know they’re here to support us in what we’re trying to do, and everyone who is here…Thank you so much for honoring us, honoring our tribe and our nation.”

Turner then spoke of the evolution of the area’s name from Payquag to Pequoig and in 1762, to Athol.

“I only mention this because anthropologists have just recently found that our Indigenous People have been here for 26,000 years,” she continued. “We have to remember that our ancestors were here, they were fruitful, they hunted and gathered by the Millers River – that’s where they got their sustenance – and they had a good life. They thrived, they bore families, had children to continue their (lineage) up until this town was re-formed and renamed and became more of an agricultural town.”

“It really softens my heart to know that there are people here who want to make sure that we survive in this town – by people, by name, by plaque, by honor,” Turner said.

“It’s my responsibility,” said Silva, “to carry on and make sure the next generation understands the importance of where we are and what took place.”

Silva added that it’s important to remember and teach history as it really happened.

“It’s now your opportunity to review and understand what took place here,” Silva said. “We still look toward the value that our ancestors (handed down), and that’s the value of friendship, of understanding, of appreciation, of love, and the finding of those assets necessary to protect Mother Earth and follow the guidance of the Great Creator. We join you today in that common effort.”

A tearful McClain related, “When I pulled up today, a feeling came over me. I don’t know what it was. I felt like was here, right here, before. As Rocky started talking I could feel that it was something within, from my ancestors. They were letting us know they’re happy that this is here and that we’re here to be able to celebrate this moment. I am so happy to be part of this. I had a little more to say – but I’m a big baby. I’m just standing here with so much joy.”

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.

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