Pakachoag: Where the River Bends

This Holy Cross documentary tells the story of the Nipmuc land in and around Worcester, Massachusetts, including the campus of the College of the Holy Cross. It covers Nipmuc/settler relations pre-settlement to today.

Film Premiere & Discussion

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Learn about the Nipmuc people and their stewardship of the land, water, and animal relations with whom we share this place. With this new lens on Holy Cross and the College Hill neighborhood, how can we best acknowledge the indigenous experience of our campus? Featuring an introduction by Holy Cross President Vincent Rougeau and followed by discussion moderated by Sarah Luria, Professor of Professor of English/Environmental Studies, with:

• Fred Freeman, Chairperson of the Nipmuk Cultural Preservation, Inc.
• Colin Novick, Executive Director of the Greater Worcester Land Trust
• Thomas Doughton, Senior Lecturer of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies at Holy Cross
• Jack Hynick '22, Holy Cross student
• Ian Kaloyanides, Digital Media Services Coordinator at Holy Cross
• Sarah Klotz, Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and English at Holy Cross

Watch the screening and discussion online.

Holy Cross resides on Pakachoag Hill, part of the traditional lands of the Nipmuc people. We are grateful for their historic and ongoing stewardship of the land, water, and animal relations with whom we share this place.

Learn more.

This series explores past and contemporary Indian/New England/U.S. relations in conjunction with the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the Mayflower at Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Learn more and watch video.

This project, by the students in Prof. Sarah Luria's Montserrat Seminar 111N in Spring 2020, tells stories about the different communities who have lived on the land where Holy Cross resides and the ways they have changed this hill. With fanciful composite images of "then and now," their goal is to create an experience of ”double vision” — to see the past when looking at the present.

View the Graphic Guide.

  • Land Acknowledgment statement with a stylized photo of the Holy Cross campus featuring O'Kane Hall.
  • Description and credits of Story of Here project
  • Composite image of contemporary photo of bridge over Blackstone River with illustrations of Nipmuc people boating and fishing.
  • Description of Blackstone River history and reflections on contemporary use.
  • Composite image featuring contemporary photo of Luth Athletic Center exterior with historical illustration of Rev. John Eliot preaching on a large rock.
  • History of Rev. John Eliot's preaching on a rock atop Pakachoag Hill.
  • Composite image of "Nipmuc among us" features a stylized photo of Fenwick Hall overlaid with illustrations of a wetu and a mixture of contemporary and historical residents.
  • Reflections on how Nipmuc lived and still live on the land we call College Hill.
  • A composite image of grass and gardens with Nipmuc people hunting deer and growing corn.
  • Description of how Nipmuc people sourced food.
  • A composite image of some common things with their names in both English and Nipmuc.
  • Description of how we understand Nipmuc history through language and naming.
  • A Google map street level image of College Hill overlaid with historical maps and photos of past residents.
  • An overview of how College Street has changed over time.
  • Banner ad for the premiere of Pakachoag: Where the River Bends
  • Land Acknowledgment statement with a stylized photo of the Holy Cross campus featuring O'Kane Hall.
  • Description and credits of Story of Here project
  • Composite image of contemporary photo of bridge over Blackstone River with illustrations of Nipmuc people boating and fishing.
  • Description of Blackstone River history and reflections on contemporary use.
  • Composite image featuring contemporary photo of Luth Athletic Center exterior with historical illustration of Rev. John Eliot preaching on a large rock.
  • History of Rev. John Eliot's preaching on a rock atop Pakachoag Hill.
  • Composite image of "Nipmuc among us" features a stylized photo of Fenwick Hall overlaid with illustrations of a wetu and a mixture of contemporary and historical residents.
  • Reflections on how Nipmuc lived and still live on the land we call College Hill.
  • A composite image of grass and gardens with Nipmuc people hunting deer and growing corn.
  • Description of how Nipmuc people sourced food.
  • A composite image of some common things with their names in both English and Nipmuc.
  • Description of how we understand Nipmuc history through language and naming.
  • A Google map street level image of College Hill overlaid with historical maps and photos of past residents.
  • An overview of how College Street has changed over time.
  • Banner ad for the premiere of Pakachoag: Where the River Bends