*Media Advisory* Wayland Police to Unveil New Badge Honoring Wayland and The Original Nipmuc People of Wayland
WAYLAND — Acting Chief Ed Burman is pleased to be welcoming citizens of Nipmuc Nation during Native American Heritage Month for an unveiling of Wayland Police’s new badge, which honors Nipmuc Nation Native Americans and was designed in coordination with the organization.
WHEN:
Wednesday, Nov. 16, at noon
WHERE:
Wayland Public Safety Building, 38 Cochituate Road
WHO:
- Acting Police Chief Ed Burman
- Love Richardson, a citizen of the Hassanamisco Band of Nipmucs and a tribal council member
- Members of the Wayland Police Department, including Officer Lynnet Sloan
- Town Historians
WHAT:
Members of the Wayland Police Department will be joined by Nipmuc Nation citizens for an unveiling of the Department’s new badge. Wayland Police commissioned several of its members to coordinate the redesign of the Department’s badge to reflect important parts of Wayland’s history and values.
Wayland Police worked collaboratively with citizens of the Nipmuc Nation, the Hassanamisco Band of Nipmucs, the Wayland Historical Society, and the Wayland Archeologist, to incorporate a Native American image on the badge that properly represents and honors local Nipmuc tribes.
The Department is the first entity to request help from Nipmuc Nation to craft such a badge. Also highlighted on the new badge are the Wayland Depot and the Old Towne Bridge.
The unveiling ceremony will include a speech from Chief Burman, Council Women Love Richardson and members of the Wayland Police Department. Love Richardson also will conduct a smudge ceremony to bless the badge.
“Native American culture is an integral part of the history of our nation, state and Wayland, and we are so pleased to have a badge that represents the rich culture of our area and the important and lasting contributions of indigenous people,” Acting Chief Burman said. “This unveiling is even more special as it is being launched during Native American Heritage Month. We thank the citizens of citizens of the Hassanamisco Band of Nipmucs for providing us guidance throughout this process and helping us to craft a badge that reflects their values.”
In July at the annual Powwow in Grafton, Wayland Police Officer Sloan presented a mockup of the badge to the Nipmuc people, including Tribal Chair Tenah Richardson, Vice-Chair Candia Flynn, Councilor Justin Wilson and Love Richardson. Johnny Blackwolf Walker, Chief of the Amiskanoagwiak, Nipmuc Tribewas also present and gave the mockup his blessing.
“As allies to the Indigenous people of the Commonwealth, we receive this honor to be a part of the Wayland Police Department’s redesign,” Love Richardson said. “Community and culture are a part of who we are, they are important to the traditional beliefs of the Nipmuc people much like the land and freshwater. Establishing this new relationship with the Wayland Police Department restores balance, gives life to continue the hard work of inclusion, and highlights equity within the police force and Town of Wayland.”
Native American Heritage Month is celebrated annually in November to recognize the rich and diverse cultures, traditions and histories of Native Americans, and to celebrate their achievements and contributions.
The badges were manufactured by SymbolArts.
About Nipmuc Nation
On behalf of our ancestors and their descendants, it is the sacred mission of all the members of the Nipmuc community to preserve and promote the culture, language, and values of the Nipmuc People, while striving to improve the quality of life for all citizens, including the generations to come. With nearly 600 members, Hassanamisco Band of Nipmucs, the Nipmuc Nation is one of New England’s most historic and largest native communities.
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