The Barrington Town Council unanimously voted to adopt a Land Acknowledgement statement on December 6, 2021. Councilors Jacob Brier and Annelise Conway introduced the measure that will require the statement to be read at the beginning of all future Council meetings.

The statement reads:

“We recognize the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. We acknowledge that we are in the ancestral homeland of the Pokanoket Tribe within the original territory of the Pokanoket Nation. We commit to ongoing efforts to recognize, honor, reconcile and partner with the Pokanoket people whose lands and water we benefit from today. Aquene (Peace).”

The adoption followed presentations by Sachem Tracey Brown, Tribal Historian Donald Brown, Jr., Sagamore William Guy, and Sowams Heritage Area Coordinator David Weed. Click here for a 22-minute video of the presentations and vote on the resolution. A similar resolution was passed by the Warren Town Council on July 13, 2021.