Burning of the Mishoon
December 12, 2023
The Westport, MA Mishoon Burn
In late May of 2023, a collaborative effort between the Westport River Watershed Alliance, the Westport Land Conservation Trust, and Wampanoag Experience took place.
This collaboration resulted in a mishoon, or traditional Native American canoe, burn, which lasted 24 hours a day for an entire week between May 13th and June 24th. Annawon Weeden, a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, and Andre StrongBearHeart Gaines, Jr., from the Nipmuc Nation, along with several other tribal and non-tribal supporters skillfully oversaw the mishoon's burning.
The general public was encouraged to attend, with the hopes it would provide an opportunity to gain insight into Native American traditions.
Once the mishoon was completed, it became the focal point of the June 24th River Day festival, held at the head of the Westport River.
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