The Bristol Town Council heard a request for the adoption of a Land Acknowledgement by the Town Council from Bristol resident Tony Morettini on August 22, 2024. Following testimony and discussion, the Council voted to approve adoption pending a review by the Town Solicitor. The measure was finally adopted at their meeting of September 18th with the removal of the word “reconcile” as originally proposed. Click here for a 25 minute video recording of that portion of the August 22nd meeting. Click here for the on-line recording of the initial meeting and here for the meeting with the final vote that begins at 1:02:45.

(Above) Council Member Tim Sweeney listens as Tony Morettini and Pokanoket Sachem Tracey Dancing Star present the case for the Town to adopt a Land Acknowledgment that they can use for different occasions and post in pubic locations.

(Above) Council Member Aaron Ley seconds Sweeney’s motion recommending adoption of the language that Morettini proposed, and Council Chairman Nathan Calouro calls for a vote. The final vote on September 18th recommended removal of the word “reconcile” in the language that was adopted.

(Above) Council Member Mary Parella votes in favor, making it a unanimous recommendation. More than a dozen members of the Pokanoket Tribe, including Sagamore Winds of Thunder in the maroon shirt, were in attendance to hear this historic vote in favor. The final vote on September 18th was four to one, with Tony Teixeirato voting “no” to adopt the measure without the word “reconcile”.