(Above) Pokanoket Tribe Sagamore Winds of Thunder introduces himself to the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Rhode Island Governor Nancy Wildes as Sachem Dancing Star and Society member Rei Battcher look on. Click here for a three-minute dedication of the bench on July 26, 2022 at Burr’s Hill Park in Warren, RI.

(Above) Pokanoket Tribe Sachem Dancing Star introduces herself to Rei Battcher before she and the Sagamore are joined at the bench by Tribal Elder Lee “Brave Heart” and his brother Sachem Harry “Hawk” Edmonds,

(Above) Sowams Heritage Area Project Coordinator David Weed joins the group for the dedication of the bench in memory of the Massasoit Ousamequan who welcomed the English Separatists in 1621 and formed a peaceful alliance that lasted for over fifty years, guaranteeing the survival of the settlers.

(Above) The group gathers at the monument to Ousmequin whose remains were returned to the Royal Burial Grounds in 2017 after being removed in 1913. The Sagamore chats with East Bay Newspaper photographer Richard Dionne following the dedication.