As part of the installation of an arboretum in Burr’s Hill Park in Warren, RI, one of three red cedar trees was planted near the Massasoit monument on November 15, 2025. The Eastern red cedar is an ancient tree, dating to aboriginal America, where fossil evidence indicates it covered large portions of the continent. It is a sacred tree for indigenous peoples and has served many medicinal purposes. 

Volunteers place the red cedar tree before Warren Town Council Chairman Joey DePasquale greets Pokanoket Sachem Tracey Dancing Star Brown and , to her left, Sagamore Winds of Thunder close to the Massasoit Ousamequin monument.

(Above) The Sagamore William “Winds of Thunder” Guy talks about how the Royal Pokanoket Burial Ground was located on the north side of the Park, and the Massasoit Ousamequin was buried there in 1661 following his death in North Brookfield, MA where he was married to Quaboag Nipmuc Sachem
Nattawayhunt’s daughter.

(Above) Dancing Star expresses her appreciation to the crowd for honoring the Pokanoket people by planting the cedar tree, a symbol of eternal life, and sprinkling tobacco to symbolize their prayers that ascend to the Creator.

(Above) Dancing Star again thanks the organizers of the planting for including them in the event that created a new arboretum of 34 native trees that now grace the Park.