Watertown Commemorates 250th Anniversary of Landmark Treaty with Series of Events
- WCA-TV
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Watertown, MA - Hundreds of community members, Indigenous leaders, veterans, historians, and elected officials gathered at the Mosesian Center for the Arts on July 18 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Treaty of Watertown.
Signed in 1776 between the newly formed United States and the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet Nations, the Treaty of Watertown is recognized as the first treaty between the United States and an Indigenous nation. Throughout the day, speakers reflected on the treaty's historical significance and its enduring message of friendship, diplomacy, and mutual respect.
Watch the complete Treaty of Watertown 250th Anniversary Commemoration ceremony in the video below to experience the full program, including remarks from Indigenous leaders, historical presentations, cultural performances, and special tributes.
Library Program Explores Indigenous Views on the American Revolution
The Watertown Free Public Library hosted a program examining Indigenous perspectives on the origins of the American Revolution on July 15, 2026.
The event featured Watertown resident Mishy Lesser, co-founder of the Pigsgusset Initiative and Upstander Project, alongside Passamaquoddy author, educator, musician, and knowledge keeper Chris Newell, Mi’kmaq educator and musician Graham Marshall, and Upstander Project public historian Kristine Malpica.
The program included drumming, a panel discussion, and a screening of Bounty, a short documentary produced by Upstander Project. Speakers discussed scalp laws that terrorized Native communities throughout the region and explored how those policies influenced the decision by many Indigenous people to support the American Patriots against the British.
The discussion offered attendees a broader understanding of the Revolution by centering Indigenous experiences that are often left out of traditional accounts of the country’s founding.
Watch the full panel discussion below.
New StoryMap Explores Indigenous History of Watertown Before Colonial Settlement
A new interactive StoryMap is offering residents a deeper look at Watertown's history by centering the experiences of the Indigenous peoples who lived in the area for thousands of years before English settlement.
Created by the Pigsgusset Initiative in collaboration with the Historical Society of Watertown, the digital resource combines historical research, maps, archival documents, photographs and Indigenous perspectives to tell a more complete story of the land once known as Pigsgusset, or "the meadow at the widening of the river." Organizers said the project is the result of more than three years of research and remains an evolving resource.
The interactive StoryMap is available online at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6f212979758a4db18c4dd8437c2e60e0, where readers can explore the project's research, maps and historical resources in greater detail.
Watch the full panel from June 17, 2026:
A Conversation With the Mi'kmaq Grand Council
In July 2025, WCA-TV and the Historical Society of Watertown welcomed members of the Mi'kmaq Grand Council and other Indigenous leaders to the WCA-TV studio for an in-depth conversation about the Treaty of Watertown.
Recorded ahead of the treaty's 250th anniversary, this discussion explores the history of the 1776 agreement, its significance as the first international treaty signed by the United States, and its enduring importance to the Mi'kmaq Nation. Participants also reflect on the treaty's role in shaping nation-to-nation relationships, preserving Indigenous history, and educating future generations.
This conversation was produced in partnership with the Historical Society of Watertown to help preserve and share the story of the Treaty of Watertown through the voices of Indigenous leaders.
WCA-TV extends its sincere gratitude to the many community members, City staff, interns, and volunteers whose time, expertise, and support helped make our coverage of the 250th Anniversary of the Treaty of Watertown possible.
We are especially grateful to Marilynne Roach and Joyce Kelly of the Watertown Historical Society; Erin Rathe and Tyler Cote of the City of Watertown; Jennifer Wolfrum and Mishy Lesser of the Pigsgusset Initiative; WCA-TV interns Shea O'Reilly, Mina Rose Morales, and Gavin Russo; and WCA-TV member Mike Spurr. Their knowledge, collaboration, and dedication were instrumental in documenting and sharing this historic commemoration with the community.
Comments