The East Providence Historical Society (EPHS) sponsored a discussion of the 350th anniversary of King Philip’s War at the Weaver Public Library on May 19th, 2025. The evening featured a 50-minute presentation by Pokanoket Tribal Historian Strong Turtle (Don Brown, Jr.) that followed a tobacco prayer by Pokanoket Sachem Harry ‘Hawk” Edmonds, introductory remarks by Carole Brown, chair of the East Providence Mayor’s Council on Indigenous Affairs, remarks by EPHS co-chairs Jeff and Cheryl Faria and Nancy Moore, and a blessing by Rev. Samuel Lovett, pastor of Newman Congregational Church. Click here for a 30-minute video of the introductory remarks. Click here for a video of Strong Turtle’s remarks.

Ryan McAuley, East Providence Library creative learning staff welcomed the standing-room-only audience of over sixty people, including EPHS co-presidents Jeff and Cheryl Faria (second row left) before Sachem Harry ‘Hawk” Edmonds gave a traditional tobacco prayer in his Native language and in English.

Carole Brown of the Mayor’s Council on Indigenous Affairs, Nancy Moore of the EPHS, and David Weed, historian of the Sowams Heritage Area Project, gave some brief remarks as Rev. Samuel Lovett listened before Strong Turtle spoke.

Strong Turtle (above, right) covered the history of the Pokanoket Tribe both before and after the 1675-1676 King Philip’s War, including the peace treaty that was struck with the English Separatists in 1621 and the War that broke out in Swansea in June 1675.