On this Indigenous Peoples Day we would like to express our gratitude to those who cared for the Farmington River and its watershed in the Millenia before us. For more than 12,000 years, members of the Tunxis, Mohican, Massacoe, Wangunk, Pocumtuc, and Poquonock People have utilized and stewarded the lands and waters in what is now known as the Farmington River Valley. The river was once called Wattunkshausepo – “fast flowing and winding river.” It was later shortened to Tunxis – “the beautiful river that ripples down through the hills.”  When the settlers arrived from Europe, the Native American tribes taught them how to care for the land, how to plant, how to hunt and how to fish.

Due to displacement and disruptions, there are currently no tribal lands along the river, but descendants of these groups still live across the continent. The continued presence and legacy of Native American communities can be found in the landscape, in the wooded trails we hike, and in the trusted footpaths that became roadways. FRWA encourages all of our members to honor Indigenous Peoples Day this year by spending time connecting with your environment. Stewardship of the earth is an important piece of ancient wisdom that we should remember in order to keep our watershed healthy for ourselves, for our neighbors, and for future generations.

Learn about Nations that once lived in our watershed by exploring the Native Land Digital Map!

‍