Reunification

Dartmouth is planning to repatriate the papers of Samson Occom to the Mohegan Tribe in Connecticut. “The documents’ return is a symbolic step towards redressing historical harm against Occom,” writes the Valley News.

Harris, the vice chairwoman of the Mohegan Tribal Council and a direct descendant of Occom, says “this reconciliation and the homecoming marks the beginning of a healing process and renews the shared bonds between the Tribe and the Dartmouth community.”

Harris has long worked to strengthen her tribe’s stature. According to a 2017 story in Connecticut’s The Day, she matriculated at Dartmouth with a plan to double major in government and Native American studies “and bring my knowledge back to help my tribe.” She has since done just that.

Harris was also featured on the March 1997 cover of Dartmouth Alumni Magazine, and mentioned in the accompanying editor’s note about the Occom family’s role in the founding of the College.