Boston Will Construct First Indigenous Monument

The White Pine Gathering Place at Franklin Park will honor Wampanoag culture and provide space for tribal ceremonies.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Native American

Screen-print poster illustration depicting vertical steel poles and white pine trees on a hill, representing an Indigenous monument in Boston. — Boston plans to develop the White Pine Gathering Place on Scarboro Hill by 2028, creating a permanent site for Wampanoag tribal ceremonies. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should city governments prioritize creating permanent monuments for Indigenous communities in public parks?

Boston plans to develop the White Pine Gathering Place on Scarboro Hill in Franklin Park by 2028. This will serve as the city's first permanent monument dedicated to an Indigenous community.

Why it matters

The project aims to fulfill a request from Wampanoag tribal members for a space that honors their connection to the land while providing public education. It serves as a functional site designed specifically for tribal ceremonies and healing.

The proposed monument requires $2 million in total funding to complete the installation. Development of the site is expected to span two years.

The players

SmokeSygnals

This organization conducted design workshops with Wampanoag tribal council members and leaders.

Boston Art Commission

This city entity holds the authority to provide the necessary approval for the monument project.

The details

Developed through the Un-monument | Re-monument | De-monument: Transforming Boston initiative, the design features Corten steel poles, benches, white pine trees, and statues of Pukwudgies. A central pot depicting the Wampanoag mythology character Moshup serves as the focal point, with specific design requirements determined through workshops held by SmokeSygnals.

SmokeSygnals will present the final design to the public at Franklin Park in October 2026.
The project completion goal is set for 2028.

Culture Shift

This project reflects a broader trend of cities reassessing public spaces to ensure historically marginalized voices are represented. It follows a pattern set by the Un-monument | Re-monument | De-monument: Transforming Boston initiative which works to determine who is memorialized in the city.

Residents can expect the creation of a new functional space in Franklin Park dedicated to tribal ceremonies and education. The project will transform the Scarboro Hill area into a site intended for public healing and cultural reflection.

The takeaway

This development marks a shift in how urban landscapes are used to honor the specific mythological and cultural heritage of local Indigenous groups. It provides a permanent venue for the public to engage with Wampanoag history directly within a major city park.