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what took you so long? do more!
In fact, we had King Philip’s War on our radar for a very long time. It took us nearly a year to organise our Metacom’s Resistance series. But as our audience member told us, on the war’s 350th anniversary, it was high time we did.
Metacom’s resistance, or the War for the Dawnland, or King Philip’s War - however you know it - was the bloodiest and arguably among the most consequential of American wars. It set the stage for the American Revolution, for western expansion, and for the near-genocide of Indigenous people. Organizing this series has been eye-opening for us and we hope it has been for you, too. There is so much more to know and understand - we’ll be back with more.
We are deeply grateful to the Tribes and Tribal citizens and scholars who consulted with us in the making of this series, and to the superb speakers who brought you their knowledge, insights and commitment to revealing what really happened - contrary to the accounts with which many of us grew up.
As Liz ColdWind Santana-Kiser said at the Turners Falls day of remembrance, “To all of you here and my ancestors who are not. Today I speak on the truth not found in our history books.
“The year 1676 is a date in our memory that should never be forgotten. It was a year when the rivers ran red and the cries of Indigenous women, elders, children were taken before their time. In that year, the winds of war blew through our homeland not by our choosing, but because we were pushed to the edge.”
We’re also deeply grateful to you, our audience, who stuck with us through eight different events! You can find the recordings here if you missed any.
Here’s what some of you had to say:
"You’re absolutely doing the right thing. As a Native person, it’s been centuries of misinformation. We need to admit it with these talks.”
“Listening to the Indigenous speakers made me realise how little I know about this war and I want to change that. I am a settler on their homeland and that fact is never lost on me.”
“Keep bringing us these special events, please!”
“Empirically supported information about Metacom’s resistance. Truly contrary to the conventional historical narrative. WOW!”
“Keep going!”
And so we will. Stay tuned!
This is one of few known written records, in his own hand, of Metacom, or Philip, Wampanoag sachem who led Indigenous resistance. Philip, sachem of the Wampanoag. Quitclaim by Philip, Rehoboth, MA. From the collections of the John Carter Brown Library.
Events
“Land as an IDOL”
Daniel Richter with Brad Lopes
ONLINE, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026, 5:30-7:30PM
Age of Exploration, papal bulls, terra nullius? What were the justifications that English Puritans used to explain their expropriation of Native land? Renowned historian Daniel Richter tackles the question of justification in an exploration of theory and practice of colonial land annexation. “Land! Land! Hath been the Idol of Many in New-England,” lamented Puritan clergyman Increase Mather. Join this trenchant presentation, moderated by Aquinnah Wampanoag educator Brad Lopes.
“We need a full and honest
reckoning with our history.”
— attendee, Tyranny vs Liberty series
rebellion or resistance?
Once histories of King Philip’s War spoke of “skulking Indians” and “perfidious heathens.” Now, inspired and inspiring new scholarship is turning that narrative upside down. Maryann Zujewski offers an essential list of primary, secondary, digital and other materials, including tribal websites of presenters in our Metacom’s Resistance series, to help you continue the journey in finding out what really happened.
are you a reader?
If your answer is yes, well - we are readers, too. That’s why we’ve created our READ page, to tempt you to read more! Find out supporter David Achenbach’s view of Edmund Morgan’s The Puritan Family - still in print after 60 years - and author Lori Rogers-Stokes on Lin Fisher’s new book on enslavement. And don’t forget to join our virtual book club!
surprising revolutionaries
New England Puritans insisted on self-government, bearing with them their charter. They drafted the first American bill of rights, enshrining liberties which far surpassed any in the English-speaking world. Who would have thought that Puritans could be so revolutionary? Francis J. Bremer explores the 1641 Body of Liberties and its guarantee of due process, the right to protest, and equality under the law.
“This talk opened a new world for me.”
— attendee, ‘I Pledge Allegiance’: Sovereignty and Sanctuary in the Dawnland