Map showing tribal lands in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island

President Barack Obama signed “The Native American Heritage Day Resolution 2009,” designating the Friday after Thanksgiving as “Native American Heritage Day.” 

He stated, “I encourage every American to join me in observing Native American Heritage Day… It is also important for all of us to understand the rich culture, tradition, and history of Native Americans and their status today, and to appreciate the contributions that First Americans have made and will continue to make to our Nation.” (National Library of Medicine

Holyoke is on the land of the Pocumtuc people.