Respect

Narragansett story teller and author Paula Dove Jennings spoke to a group of students this afternoon at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Paula who is also a member of the Economic Development Committee for the Narragansett is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to her tribe's great history. She openly shared through an uplifting style of story telling her family's history as well as the tight bond she shares amongst members and the traditions of her federally recognized tribe. (FYI: Federal Recognition is a big deal amongst Northeast Native Americans like the Nipmuc Tribe. Today, according to Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs and tribe member Troy Phillips, the Nipmuc are looking elsewhere in order to become a recognized tribe after attempting the tumultuous Federal Acknowledgement process twice, spending $4 million of their tribe's funds and still being denied by the United States Government.)

Today, Paula advised students and staff to speak out, "If you don't they'll come for you," she said. "And then there's no one left to speak out. It can and will happen." Paula directed similar commentary relating to the recent occurrences of racism on the UMass campus. Check out the following video footage below and learn more.