Enduring Significance of Wampum Kicks Off RWU Library’s ‘Talking in the Library’ Series

BRISTOL, R.I. - Local Indigenous history and artistry were at the center of the Roger Williams University Library first event in their annual Mary Tefft White "Talking in the Library" series. Held on Sept. 30, Paula Peters, a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, offered a presentation on the cultural significance of wampum and the enduring legacy of the King Philip's War.

Speaking to an audience of about 60 attendees, Peters recounted the history of a ceremonial belt once worn by Wampanoag Sachem Metacom. The belt, sent to England by colonists in 1677 and lost to history ever since, serves as a powerful symbol of cultural resilience and remembrance.

Braver said the library intentionally opened the fall series with Peters' talk to deepen the community's understanding of the region's Indigenous history and spark reflection. The program, he explained, offered a meaningful opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to engage with stories that illuminate the cultural foundations of the land on which RWU stands.

"This event encouraged us to confront difficult questions about culture and preservation," Braver said. "It reminded us of the importance of understanding the histories that shape the place we inhabit and the people whose stories continue to define it."

Wampum belts, crafted from polished beads and quahog shells, are sacred objects that record important events and convey meaning through their intricate designs. Peters brought a newly created wampum belt to share with the audience, explaining how members of the Mashpee, Herring Pond, Assonet, Aquinnah, and Namasket Wampanoag tribes collaborated to construct it - continuing a centuries-old tradition of storytelling and identity.

The "Talking in the Library" series will continue throughout the spring semester with events that highlight voices and perspectives shaping the cultural and intellectual landscape of our region. Previous programs have featured "Freedom Under Siege: Love, Death, Liberation" with Khosro Isfahni of the National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFDI); readings and discussions with acclaimed author and two-time Best American Essays honoree Rick Moody; and a visit from poet Elisa Gonzalez, whose work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The Paris Review. Last spring, the series also hosted a screening of All Static & Noise, further broadening the opportunities for dialogue and discovery.