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Cambridge council approves acknowledgement of Massachusetts tribe and directs staff to explore memorial
Summary
After extended debate and a failed amendment to remove special recognition language, the City Council approved a policy order directing staff to incorporate an acknowledgement of the Massachusetts tribe and to explore a living memorial and permanent plaque in City Hall, with special recognition of Squash/Ska Sachem included in the order's language.
The Cambridge City Council approved a policy order asking the city manager and relevant departments to prominently incorporate recognition of the Massachusetts tribe into official events, documents and websites and to explore an appropriate living memorial and a permanent plaque in City Hall that would include special recognition of Squash Sachem.
Suzanne Blier, who had urged the council to support the order during public comment, said the measure would “recognize the Massachusetts tribe as the original Cambridge inhabitants” and help restore erased histories. Members debated whether the order should single out Squash Sachem for special recognition. Councilor Susie and other councilors cautioned that documentary evidence about that individual is limited and suggested broadening the language to honor the people generally or to confirm historical details before naming a single person.
Several councilors and the mayor defended the order’s current wording as an opportunity to begin correcting historical erasure; sponsors said the intent is to consult tribal representatives and historians while planning any memorial. An amendment offered to remove the clauses specifically naming Squash/Ska Sachem failed on roll call (8 no, 1 yes). The council then amended sponsors and ultimately passed the policy order as amended; the clerk recorded the vote with eight members voting yes and one member recorded present.
The policy order directs staff to consult with tribal representatives and relevant scholars, report back with recommendations for appropriate forms and locations of acknowledgement, and to prepare language for display in City Hall. The record shows numerous variants of the leader’s name in debate and public comment; sponsors and staff said they will pursue consultation to confirm correct spelling and form of recognition before finalizing any permanent marker.
Next steps: staff will consult with tribal representatives, historians and the city manager’s office and return to the council with proposed text and location options for a plaque or living memorial.
