The Ancient Fishweir Project combines public art, educational programs, and community events in celebration with the contemporary Native American community.
3,700 to 5,300 years ago, near what is now Boston Common, fishweirs were built along the tidal flats to catch fish during the spring spawn.
The Fishweir Project's annual building of a fishweir on Boston Common brings this ancient activity into the current imagination, expanding the time frame of history told in Boston, and honoring the people who lived in the place we now call Boston.
Fishweir Building with students and teachers from Neighborhood House School.
Fishweir celebration on Boston Common with Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers.
Fishweir built near what was once an ancient shoreline, now Charles St. side of Boston Common.
Fishweir Building with students and teachers from Neighborhood House School.
Ancient Fishweir Project
Audio recording
Gill Solomon, Sachem, Massachuset Tribe
talks about fishweir and cultural history
TEDxBeaconStreet - Ross Miller
In the place we now call Boston - Story of the fishweir project
2023 ~ Our Annual Fishweir Installation ~ update
This year, we will celebrate the 20th annual Fishweir installation on Boston Common. Plans are being made for exact dates, stay tuned!
Many educators are interested in continuing to share ideas about placed-based ways of thinking that are natural to many indigenous cultural traditions. Here are links to thoughtful local tribal groups.
Link to Massachuset tribe
link to Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
link to Herring spawning in rivers in Massachusett
We well continue to raise awareness of the early history of the people who made their homes in this area for over 200 generations before the arrival of European colonists by sharing the Fishweir building and program activities on Boston Common, including curriculum projects, and public educational outreach.