Local resident, Wampanoag partners propose Kenowon monument commemorating John Sassamon; historical commission urges wider consultation

A Lakeville resident and members of a Wampanoag community asked the Select Board to consider a privately funded monument honoring John Sassamon and a broader recognition of indigenous history.

Daniel Kasiri, who said he is working with sculptor Boccaccio and a donor for an initial maquette, described the proposal and asked the Select Board whether it would be open to seeing a physical model and discussing potential town locations. "The name of the monument is going to be Kenowon," Kasiri told the board, explaining the Algonquian word means "all of us." He said the sculptor’s initial maquette costs $5,000 and that he has a donor willing to provide seed funding; Kasiri said he is not requesting town funds.

Why it matters: The proposed monument would memorialize a figure whose life and death in the 1670s is tied to the outbreak of King Philip’s War; historical memory around Sassamon is contested and both the Historical Commission and representatives of Wampanoag communities told the board they want a broader, carefully framed process.

What was proposed: Kasiri said the sculptor would portray Sassamon with feathers pointing down (a cultural symbol indicating peace), a pipe and a translation volume to indicate his role as a mediator and translator. Kasiri said the larger design could include relief panels telling multiple sides of the 17th‑century story and suggested possible public sites including Town Hall lawn, Shaw Park (overlooking Asawansa Pond) or the old library/annex area.

Tribal and commission response: Tom Frederick, identified as a chief within the Poconoka (Pokanoka) community of the Wampanoag Confederation, and other tribal representatives said they supported a commemorative project in principle but stressed the need for broad tribal consultation. Members of the Historical Commission recalled a 1990s effort to honor Sassamon that the Bureau of Indian Affairs then opposed because they considered him to be a traitor; commissioners recommended community‑level discussions and offered to host conversations and vetting sessions. “We want to feel that everybody’s on board with this,” said Brian Reynolds of the Historical Commission, urging careful outreach to multiple tribal representatives and to proponents of alternative memorial approaches.

Funding and timing: Kasiri said the sculptor’s $5,000 maquette would be privately funded and that larger installation costs could be supported through Community Preservation Act (CPC) funds and other private donations. The Historical Commission said it plans to place the item on its agenda and hoped to hold public discussions in April to gather tribal input and community feedback before any formal recommendation to the Select Board.

Next steps: The Historical Commission scheduled outreach and expects to meet with tribal representatives; Kasiri and partners were asked to coordinate through the town administrator’s office and to await the commission’s work before returning with a finished maquette and site plans.

Speakers (as recorded in the meeting) - Daniel Kasiri — Project proponent (resident) - Tom Frederick — Chief, Pokanoka (Pokanoka) community, Wampanoag Confederation (presenter/partner) - Brian Reynolds — Member, Lakeville Historical Commission - Nancy Dufay — Member, Lakeville Historical Commission

Clarifying details - Sculptor maquette: $5,000 for a 12–20 inch maquette, paid by private donor (stated by Kasiri) - Potential funding sources mentioned: private donations and Community Preservation Act (CPC) funds (Kasiri said project could qualify for CPC under historic or public park categories) - Timeline: Historical Commission aimed to discuss in April and, if needed, hold special meeting no later than April to collect tribal input before further Select Board consideration

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