Stories from the River: 2026 Peskeompskut Paddle Recap
This summer on July 31st, the Connecticut River Conservancy, Nolumbeka Project, Adventure East, and event attendees came together with Northeastern tribal members to celebrate Indigenous communities with a day of community building, paddling, and reimagining kinship with the Quonecktacut (Connecticut) River. The event, "Rekindling Kinship at Peskeompskut: A Guided History Tour & Mishoonash Paddle Gathering," brought together over 70 people at Barton Cove in Gill, MA.
We started the day off with an optional guided geology and history paddle tour around Barton Cove. The two-hour paddle was led by Nolumbeka Project's board members, David Brule and Brent Pitcher. The group returned from the morning paddle to an excellent chicken barbecue lunch prepared by Adventure East. After lunch, event attendees joined Northeastern tribal members and mishoonash (traditional handcrafted dugout canoes) paddle crews on the water. The Indigenous-led procession continued across the cove and upriver while sharing stories and songs of the land and water.
The paddle event was a gathering rooted in intentionality and cultural remembering, and the group stopped on a beach to tell stories and share wisdom that would connect us to community and place-based knowledge.
Jonathan James Perry, (left photo) from the Aquinnah Wapanoag Nation, spoke about the roads that connect us in every direction, honoring those who came before us. He highlighted the importance of passing traditions down gently, generously, and with kindness. Andre Strongbearheart Gaines Jr, (center photo) from the Nipmuc Nation, reflected on matriarchy, honoring Indigenous women, and remembering Indigenous ancestors and families. Rashaud Young, (right photo) from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, spoke about reclaiming practices that had once led to Indigenous people being persecuted, from cultivating maple syrup to working with the land as stewards. These reflections reminded us that cultural continuity lives in our relationships (with our ancestors, our communities, the land, and one another) as well as in the quiet, everyday acts of care that carry these traditions forward.
The paddle was the kick-off to the Nolumbeka Project's 13th Annual Pocumtuck Homelands Festival: A Celebration of Native American Art, Music, and Cultures which ran from August 1-2 at Unity Park in Great Falls (Turners Falls), MA.
Quotes gathered from anonymous participant feedback:
"I enjoyed the history and geology tours, met amazing people, and felt grateful for the time the tribal members took to answer participant questions. David Brule spoke about the history of the area, including details of the terrible crimes that took place in the Barton Cove area in which innocent and unexpecting Indigenous peoples were murdered in the pre-dawn hours of May 19th, 1676. From a geologist, I learned about the changes that have taken place over thousands and millions of years in the Connecticut River Vallley, as well as the sedimentary rock dinosaur prints were preserved in. During our paddle, we were graced with mishoonash paddlers singing in their native language. Northeast tribal guides were accessible and generous sharing information about their history, the land, and the mishoonash. There were also many helpful Adventure East friends helping wherever was needed."
"I was deeply moved by the opportunity to be a part of a tradition and cultural knowledge base other than my own and to be introduced in such a respectful and inclusive manner."
The event is funded and supported by the Connecticut River Conservancy, the Nolumbeka Project, Adventure East, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and sliding scale donations from participants. Deep gratitude to Jonathan James Perry, Andre Strongbearheart Gaines Jr, Rashad Young, and the Aquinnah Wampanoag, Pequot, Pennacook, and Nipmuc tribal paddlers for leading us in community.
Many thanks to the Mass Cultural Council for their vital support this year. We couldn't do this work without our community collaborations!
