Brown University has transferred 225 acres of land in Bristol, Rhode Island, to a preservation trust established by the Pokanoket Tribe, an Indigenous tribe with historic ties to the property. This land, known as Potumtuk, was once the ancestral home of Metacom, a revered leader of the Pokanoket tribe who died during King Philip’s War in 1676. The transfer comes after a 2017 agreement that ended a month-long encampment at the site. The Pokanoket Tribe plans to assess the land and maintain access to the property for various tribal members.
The remaining portion of the property will be sold to the Town of Bristol for preservation and conversation purposes. Tracey “Dancing Star” Trezvant Guy, the sachem of the Pokanoket Tribe, expressed the significance of reclaiming this land after over 340 years. Brown University’s executive vice president highlighted the importance of preserving the property’s natural beauty and historical significance. The transfer marks a historic moment for the Pokanoket Tribe and signifies a step towards honoring their ancestral connections to the land.
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