Visiting Salem, Massachusetts, in the fall, you might see streets decked out for the town’s famed Halloween celebration. If you look (and listen) a little closer, though, you’ll see that there’s a more profound history to Salem – or, as it was initially known, Naumkeag (“fishing place”).
Before it was the Salem we know today, Naumkeag was part of the lands of the Massachusett tribe—the original people of Massachusetts that the English colonists encountered. The Massachusett tribe was devastated first by disease and later by an influx of English colonists. Although their numbers are now few and far between, their importance in acting as original caretakers of the land that would become the Commonwealth of Massachusetts cannot be understated.
A new digital audio public art installation, “Native Spaces,” invites the public to feel the presence of 10,000 years of this Indigenous history in Salem with immersive soundscapes. The project, led by Boston artist Sarah Kanouse and Massachusett elder Elizabeth Solomon, represents a collaboration between the City of Salem and the Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag.
“Native Spaces” weaves the rich tapestry of Indigenous presence in Salem. Colorful, sun-like medallions in Salem’s public spaces are gateways for the public to access the immersive experience. Listeners will learn about the varied perspectives on land and property and the pivotal 1686 “deed” that, in the eyes of the colonial government, transferred ownership of the Massachusett village of Naumkeag to the English colonists.
Listeners will hear both Massachusett tribe and non-Native voices sharing their diverse experiences, along with field recordings of natural and urban soundscapes, traditional powwow drums, and original music. With “Native Spaces,” listeners will understand that they “are in Native Space” and that the rich culture and history of Naumkeag and the Massachusett tribe persist, even in modern-day Salem.
To truly appreciate the history and culture of the Massachusett tribe and the significance of Naumkeag, visit Salem, experience the “Native Spaces” installation firsthand, and immerse yourself in the rich narratives of Indigenous history. Discover and connect with this vital aspect of Massachusetts’ history as we approach the 250th anniversary of our country’s revolution!
