TOWN OF KENT – Native Americans as well as those interested in learning about local history filled the Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park in Kent Saturday for the county’s 19th annual Daniel Nimham Pow Wow.
Ideal weather conditions greeted large crowds that learned from Gil “Crying Hawk” Tarbox of Kent, a member of the Nimham Mountain Singers whose goal in life and love for his people drives him to educate future generations about the last chief of the Wappingers Indians, Daniel Nimham.
“Everyone living in these parts had a Wappinger Indian living in his or her backyard,” said Tarbox. “In their heyday, Wappingers numbered into the thousands but that was before the arrival of the Europeans. As many as 8,000 warriors lived in these parts at one time.”
Tarbox, who relocated to Putnam County from Maine, said his ancestors “hunted here, fished here and roamed the hills and dales. History has always a tendency to repeat itself. As long as we are aware of our history, hopefully the same mistakes won’t be made again. Americans cannot be pushed from their homes. Space must always be respected.”
