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Tribe members and friends dance at the The Indigenous Peoples Day Newton Annual Celebration showcased dance traditions from a variety of tribes. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
Newton held its 4th annual Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration Monday, and the cold rain couldn’t dampen the warm pride that radiated across Albemarle Field.
There were dance demonstrations, speeches, musical performances and a bunch of vendors selling food, clothing and more.
Newton’s City Council voted in November 2020 to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day, to honor the region’s Native American tribes. The next year, the Indigenous Peoples Day Newton held its first celebration.
The event has gained in popularity each year. Last year, for example, there were around 30 vendors. This year, around 80 signed up.
The event has become so big that on Monday, Nipmuc Elder Akuahuah Wheaton of the presented Newton resident Elder Hiawatha Jon Brown of the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island, and Brookline resident Dr. Darlene Flores of the Taino Higuayagua Caribbean Tribe—plus other organizers of the annual event—with a gift basket of healing herbs. Included was a proclamation that Newton’s Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration should be seen as the must-go event in the commonwealth.
“I propose and promote that this event in West Newton be the primary and special event that all people attend in Massachusetts annually for Indigenous Peoples Day,” Wheaton said. “This event in West Newton will bring all Massachusetts residents, visitors, native tribes and dignitaries together every year, here in West Newton. A new tradition, an annual celebration for all of the people of Massachusetts.”
Here are some photos from Indigenous Peoples Day Newton 2024.






