Sunday, October 7, 2018

Historical Marker to Honor William Apess





On Saturday October 13, 2018 at 11:00am an Historical Marker will be unveiled on the lawn of the Griswold Memorial Library in Colrain commemorating the birth of William Apess, Pequot author, activist and Methodist minister born in Colrain in 1798. The event is open to the public and all are welcome to come learn about Apess’ life and contributions.

William Apess is an important American literary/historical figure--the first Native of North America to write and publish his own book-length memoir, the 1829 A Son of the Forest, alongside four other major works narrating his experiences as a tireless advocate for Native rights. Apess first launched his ministry in Colrain in the 1820’s and by the 1830’s was packing churches, meeting houses, and auditoriums throughout the Northeast as people flocked to see the fiery “Indian Preacher.”

Native Scholars Lisa Brooks (Amherst College) and Margaret Bruchac (University of Pennsylvania) will be on hand to present a brief overview of Apess’ life and significance, as well as Apess biographer Drew Lopenzina (Old Dominion University), author of the 2017 Through an Indian’s Looking-Glass. There will be an opening ceremony and guest speakers, followed by the unveiling of the marker itself. Placing an Historical Marker to honor Apess’ life and contributions is a small but significant step towards locating Native presence on our local landscapes, in a manner respectful of the complexity and purpose of those indigenous lives that history, up until this point, has mostly relegated to its shadows.

The event begins at 11:00 on the lawn of the Griswold Memorial Library, Rt 112 Colrain. Refreshments will be available along with books and commemorative t-shirts for sale.


See the article in the Greenfield Recorder for more information.
https://www.recorder.com/Colrain-to-celebrate-historic-resident-20607946
Celebrating a native son — Pequot, soldier, writer 
By DIANE BRONCACCIO
Staff Writer
Monday, October 08, 2018
COLRAIN — Born in Colrain in 1798, William Apess was a Pequot Indian, an American soldier in the War of 1812, a Methodist minister and the first Native American to publish a book-length narrative about his life. He also fought for tribal rights and was jailed for an act of civil disobedience, on behalf of the Mashpee Wampanoags.