The mission of the Racial and Indigenous Justice Allies Task Force is to: (1) raise awareness within First Parish Brewster and the broader community of the history and culture of the Wampanoag people and People of Color in Eastern Massachusetts, the oppression of these people and our own biases and, (2) help reverse the health and wealth disparities present for these groups through initiatives targeted to increase their access to better educational, nutritional, cultural and property resources.  

Examples of some of the work being done include: organizing Wampanoag Day at the church in September 2024 for members and the greater community, featuring various aspects of Wampanoag culture and history; working for passage of a Massachusetts Indigenous Legislative Agenda; and, completing work to place an engraved stone in front of the church commemorating 25 enslaved people who attended FPBUU in the 1700’s.  

Leadership Team:  Dave Sutherland, Susan Smith, Sue Trask, Jim Lieb, Mary Wallce, Tia Cross, Diane Ashley

Resources created by the Task Force:

First Parish Brewster’s Sunday Service Owning Our History (March 21, 2021) sharing research about the 25 enslaved people connected to First Parish Brewster in the 1700s, has been recommended by the UUA to other churches, FPBUU Sunday Service Owning Our History

Land Acknowledgment Statement, approved by the First Parish UU Board and read at public meetings.  First Parish Brewster UU Land Acknowledgment Statement]

A Short History of the Wampanoag People in Massachusetts developed by Task Force members to supplement the Land Acknowledgment Statement, providing information about the Wampanoag peoples’ history and story. A Short History of the Wampanoag People in Massachusetts].