To the editor:
Patrick White has been a tremendous friend to the Mohican people.
We first worked with Patrick to gain local support for the return of found documents from the 18th century that were discovered in Stockbridge’s Old Town Hall. He built support both locally and with the State House delegation, which culminated in a law signed by then-Gov. Charlie Baker.
I then worked with Patrick on the historic opportunity to secure 351 acres of Monument Mountain for the Tribe. Patrick privately counseled me to not settle for limited access to state-owned property, but instead to pursue the ultimately successful course of action to acquire the land on behalf of the Mohican people. Finally, after two centuries, we will once again steward land in western Massachusetts. We are grateful to the many folks in the Berkshires who helped us. Patrick was one of them.
He conceived of the Stockbridge Mohican Commission, which has been approved by both the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans’ Tribal Council and the Stockbridge Select Board. He successfully advocated for new signage at Housatonic River crossings, signs that celebrate the Mohican language and include a reference to the Tribe. He is now working with our Tribal Liaison to explore the creation of a new Mohican Cultural Center in the Berkshires.
American history has been brutal to indigenous tribes. Proud patriots, Stockbridge Mohicans volunteered together 250 years ago for the Revolutionary Army, and many of them died together at a battle in southern New York. The ensuing poverty and opportunistic greed of a few resulted in our departure from Stockbridge in the early 1800s. After our own trail of tears, we eventually settled in Wisconsin, but the home of our ancestors spans the Hudson and Housatonic valleys.
Patrick has shown he understands that the hard work of reconciliation brings healing and peace. He respects the fact that we make our own history and has been a consistent supporter of ours as we reimagine for ourselves our future in Berkshire County and beyond.
We have seen local leaders come and go over and over these past 200 years. We need more like him.
I wish my friend Patrick White the best of luck as he pursues new challenges and opportunities as the State Representative for the 3rd Berkshire District.
Joe Miller
Former member of The Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans’ Tribal Council
Bowler, Wisc.
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