Editor’s note: Massachusetts Indigenous People’s Day is October 12, 2026. Information on events is here and elsewhere on the web.

by Sherry Zitter 

Every great journey begins with a vision. The Walk for a New Dawn began with a seed. In Western Mass on June 16 of this year, MA Catholics for Indigenous Rights were discussing how to raise awareness of Indigenous people’s concerns. Member Linden Jenkins said, “We should walk across Massachusetts to the State House,” and David Detmold said, “I would do that!” David came up with the name Walk for a New Dawn to emphasize the ways in which we want to deeply change life here for the better. And when I heard about the walk, I knew I wanted to join. 

How it started

From that meeting, David picked up the ball, joined by Wren Ribeiro, an organizer and social media maven. Five weeks later, the walk stepped off the NY state line in Williamstown! Many other committed folks provided support by sponsoring suppers, hosting overnights, gathering petition signatures and letters to Gov. Maura Healey, organizing a rally at the State House on August 13, and much more. Indivisible group Grassroots Central Mass’ founding member Jeana Edmonds gained the support of GCM for the walk and also collected donations. There were a number of other co-sponsoring organizations including Indivisible group Greylock Together.

A local singing group I belong to, “A Chorus for These Times” led by Nym Cooke, was invited to sing at a potluck in Petersham on August 4. The event included speakers about Indigenous rights, including David, speaking from the heart and holding back tears from the emotion of all the years of oppression endured by our Indigenous communities. Jeana spoke about upholding the rights of immigrants, and Wren discussed ways to protect wildlife through riparian bridges and culverts — which actually save communities money! Our singing was received so enthusiastically that people kept asking us for “one more song” after dinner, as the hour grew late.

I cleared two days in my schedule to walk with the group and found my experiences deeply moving. I brought my tent and stayed overnight in a Petersham field with other walkers, hosted generously by Karen Davis of our chorus. We walked 9 miles to Templeton the next day and walked again the following week from Maynard to Lincoln. 

Why we walked

The walk’s three stated goals were: 

• Listening to Indigenous voices about changing the state flag and seal and passing the five bills on the MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda 
• Defending our sacred homeland by preserving the Pine Barrens in Plymouth and protecting citizens against new nuclear reactors 
• Honoring all peoples by asserting the theme, “No human is illegal on stolen land; ICE out of Massachusetts!” 

On August 6, during the walk, Healey signed the PROTECT Act into law. It goes a long way toward shielding immigrants from ICE activity — but we still have a long way to go. 

We carried gorgeous bright quilted banners made by Sally Ally Muffin Stuffin. Delightfully, this is her actual legal name, which came to her in a dream! 

We distributed literature describing the goals of the walk and supporting materials and resources. 

These included an urgent request to contact the six Boston area legislators on the Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy. The committee is considering whether to create and site new nuclear reactors outside the Boston area for data centers. Please call them as soon as possible and ask them to vote no.

I folded literature each evening, morning and lunchtime and tucked a packet under the flag of each rural mailbox on our way. I also led rousing songs most of the day to keep our energy up. 

Whenever I saw someone, I stopped to explain what we were doing. My opening line was, “I’m part of a walk all across Massachusetts to the State House.” This seemed to capture attention and pique curiosity. 

Most people were receptive to our messages about the racist symbols on our state flag and the proposed repeal of a moratorium on new nuclear power plants. The moratorium resulted from a referendum passed in the 1980s to not build more nuclear plants until both legislative houses approved safe plans for transport and storage of nuclear waste. 

Most agreed to call the six legislators to voice their concerns. Parents especially were worried for their children’s future safety if more nuclear plants were built. 

I felt many things as I walked: the dedication of the other walkers — particularly David, who marched every step from the NY state line to Boston — and the sense of empowerment of ordinary people who were open to learning and acting together. It was also a spiritual journey for me, as I lent my feet, body and voice to causes in which I believed. 

I emerged from each of my two days tired, happy and energized to continue to work for social justice.

How you can get involved

1. Learn more about Chapter 503 here. Contact your state senator and state representative here and tell them you are opposed to repealing Chapter 503 and taking away our nuclear protections. 
2.  Learn about the MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda here and support it with your state legislators.

Sherry Zitter is a member of Grassroots Central Mass. She is concerned with issues of Indigenous rights, equity for Jews and Palestinians, and animal rights.

IndivisiBlog posts reflect the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policy positions of Indivisible Mass Coalition.