Photo: Mike Macklin/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — There was a massive crowd at the JFK Library on Friday morning to celebrate Native American Heritage Month.
During the annual program at JFK Library, Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers shared stories of their people’s history and culture. Member of the Wampanoag Tribe Hartman Deetz helped to lead the event.
“So often we’ve been portrayed as a monolith, a part of the past, but we’re living breathing people here and now and we want people to see us as people,” said Deetz.
The overflow crowd of people heard songs, learned words from the Wampanoag language and danced with members of the tribe.
“If Wampanoag people don’t continue to sing these songs and dance these dances, they will be gone. For us within the community there’s a real importance of maintaining these traditions so that they continue to be here for the next generations,” said Deetz.
Deetz said the struggle for justice and equity is ongoing, but hopes days like this move the cause forward.
WBZ's Mike Macklin reports.
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