Sarah Harris speaks at the Occom papers repatriation ceremony. Dartmouth President Phil Hanlon seated to her left. Photo by Eli Burakian '00.
Stewarded by Dartmouth Libraries for many years, Samson Occom's papers and materials were repatriated to the Mohegan Tribe on April 27, 2022.
This important moment in the history of Dartmouth and the Mohegan people recognizes and celebrates not only Samson Occom’s critical role in Dartmouth's establishment but also honors Occom by returning materials to his homeland that have deep spiritual meaning to the Mohegan Tribe.
The repatriation ceremony was both sobering and moving. As an important step in the restorative justice owed to the Mohegan Nation, it was ultimately hopeful, setting us on a new path in our linked histories.
Recent news stories from Dartmouth and Mohegan have noted the importance of this event. There are images, video, reflections, and remarks from the repatriation ceremony providing additional details. You can also view the papers via the Occom Circle project and as part of our digital collections.