Developer and Native leaders present monument concept for John Sassamon to Lakeville officials

A private group proposed a monument to commemorate John Sassamon and broader indigenous history in Lakeville, and members of the Historical Commission and select board expressed preliminary support while urging further consultation and documentation.

Daniel Kasiri described the project as an early-stage effort backed by a sculptor under contract for a maquette and an initial donor (the meeting packet identified Lakeville Christian Fellowship as an initial donor organization). Kasiri said he has drafted nonprofit paperwork and is seeking the Select Board's willingness to review a completed maquette and siting options at a future meeting; he emphasized that he is not requesting town funds and intends to raise money privately.

Why this matters: the proposal touches on local history, public space and interpretation of a contested historical figure. Historical Commission members recounted past efforts (in the 1990s and 2003) and relayed prior outreach to tribal representatives who had objected to honoring Sassamon as an individual; commissioners said that perspective influenced earlier decisions to avoid a statue of Sassamon and to prefer alternatives acknowledging indigenous presence more broadly.

Details of the proposal and responses

- Proposal concept: Kasiri said the monument would be named "Kenawhaan," an Algonquin word he said means "all of us." The sculptor's concept described in the meeting would depict John Sassamon in a posture of peace (feathers down), holding a pipe and a translation of a Christian text to convey his role as a cultural intermediary; the proposal included an octagonal base with relief panels telling related stories.

- Funding and timeline: Kasiri said he has a sculptor contract for a $5,000 maquette (a small-scale model) and at least one donor willing to fund initial work; he said the town would not be asked for money and that Community Preservation Committee (CPC) eligibility had been discussed, though no CPC application or award was reported in the meeting.

- Historical Commission position: Historical Commission members said the commission wants broader consultation and documentary support before recommending a monument. The commission recalled that in prior outreach some tribal representatives considered John Sassamon a "traitor" and opposed a dedicated statue; more recent contact indicated some Wampanoag representatives prefer not to erect statues of individuals and would instead discuss recognition that honors the whole indigenous presence.

- Next steps and coordination: The Historical Commission planned to place the item on its March agenda (third Wednesday) and, if necessary, arrange a special meeting no later than April to meet with tribal representatives and the proposers. Select Board members encouraged the proposers to work through the town administrator's office so the commission and other boards receive materials in a consolidated way; several board members said they were open to seeing the sculptor's maquette and discussing potential siting (Town Hall lawn and the old library/annex were mentioned as possible public locations).

No formal votes were taken. Historical Commission members asked for signed letters or documentation from tribal representatives and said the commission must weigh multiple, conflicting historical interpretations before making a formal recommendation to the Select Board.

Ending

Proposers and tribal representatives agreed to continue consultations with the Historical Commission and to coordinate future meetings through the town administrator; the commission expected to address the topic at a meeting in March or a special session by April.