Mass. 250th DEIA subcommittee urges broader Indigenous recognition, diversity in marketing and backs statewide potluck program

The DEIA subcommittee of the Special Commission on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution on April 11 discussed concerns about representation in statewide 250th promotional materials, called for stronger recognition of Indigenous sovereignty in commission-level engagement, received updates on Mass Humanities grant programs, and voted to recommend a statewide “America’s Potluck” program to the full commission.

Subcommittee co-chair Noel Trent opened by placing the meeting in a national context, noting federal changes affecting cultural agencies and saying, “we shouldn't feel like we're behind the 8 ball,” as other states also work to shape commemorations. Trent and other members emphasized that federal and national programs — including Smithsonian traveling exhibitions — influence what local communities can present.

The meeting’s most pointed discussion centered on Indigenous recognition and sovereignty. Several participants described a concern that state‑level officials have not always engaged tribal leaders at the highest levels, and that this has undermined opportunities for meaningful partnership. One subcommittee member said tribal leaders “are national leaders” and raised a concern that, in at least one recent meeting with tribal representatives, the governor’s office was represented by an undersecretary rather than the governor or lieutenant governor. Members urged the subcommittee to recommend that the full commission create space for direct conversations with tribal leaders and to ensure state representatives show formal respect for sovereignty when appropriate.

The subcommittee also critiqued recent statewide marketing. Ray Shepherd described a recent full‑page advertisement as reminiscent of older, less inclusive imagery and said it undercut the commission’s stated aim to “tell the full story” of 1775 and its aftermath. Members said visuals and marketing copy often default to archetypal imagery—tri‑corner hats and largely white figures—and urged the commission’s marketing partners to reflect patriots of color, local historical research and a broader range of lived experiences.

Subcommittee members suggested concrete steps: asking the marketing subcommittee and the commission’s marketing partners to review materials, surfacing locally produced research and images (for example, recognized Black and Indigenous participants in Revolutionary‑era battles), and encouraging the inclusion of women and other underrepresented groups in visual and interpretive materials. The group discussed inviting the commission’s marketing staff and agency partners to a future subcommittee meeting to explain timelines and which digital or print elements remain changeable.

Mass Humanities provided grant updates the subcommittee placed in the meeting’s agenda. The organization said it has a grant line called Expand Massachusetts Stories that it has run for three years and is launching a Promise is a Revolution grant line for 2025; Mass Humanities also supports the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street traveling exhibition “Voices and Votes” and the Douglass Together Reading Project. The subcommittee heard that Mass Humanities has about $600,000 available in a grants pool of roughly $20,000 awards and expects to fund “30 to 40 projects,” and that the Museum Office of Travel and Tourism’s 250th grants have an application deadline of Friday, April 11 (as announced in the meeting).

On programming, the subcommittee endorsed a proposal — modeled on an initiative other states are adopting — to promote post‑July 4 communal meals (described in the meeting as an America’s Potluck or “Sunday dinners”/potluck program) during the 2026 commemorative period. The subcommittee moved, seconded and approved a recommendation that the full commission and the commission’s outreach partners promote such an event and provide a digital toolkit communities can use to participate.

Votes at a glance: - Motion recommending that the full commission promote an America’s Potluck / post‑July 4 community potluck program: approved by voice vote (motion carried; individual tallies not specified in the transcript).

The subcommittee agreed to request time on the full commission agenda to present its concerns and recommendations, and members signaled they will convene with the marketing and education subcommittees as needed. Several members asked staff to check back with tribal leaders before the next full commission agenda is set, so the subcommittee can confirm whether tribal communities want a commission‑level conversation about sovereignty and representation.

The meeting also included routine project updates and closed with a unanimous motion to adjourn.