AMBASSADOR Robert Holmes Tuttle
Speeches, Remarks & Events
22 November 2006
Native American Leader Memorialized at Southwark Cathedral Ceremony
Southwark Cathedral was the setting for an unusual, and historic, memorial ceremony on November 22, as Ambassador Robert Tuttle joined HM Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Mohegan tribal leaders, in paying tribute to an 18th century Mogehan chief who died in London in 1736.
The Mohegans are a Native American tribe based in present-day Connecticut, whose leader or “sachem,” Mahomet Weyonomon, traveled to London in 1735 to petition King George II to stop the encroachment of English settlers on Mohegan tribal lands. Sadly, Mahomet died of smallpox in London in 1736 without being able to present his petition to the King, and was buried in an unmarked grave in the Southwark Cathedral churchyard. Because he was a foreigner, he was not allowed to be buried in any of the cemeteries in the City of London, so was carried in torch lit procession to “St-Marys-Over's Burial-Place,” now Southwark Cathedral.
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The November 22 ceremony was a service to celebrate the life of Mahomet, and to dedicate his memorial stone designed by British sculptor Peter Randall-Paige. The pink granite boulder, shipped from Mohegan lands in Connecticut, has been sculpted with a medallion motif , inspired by trails of the paths traveled through life.
The service included ritual dances by Mohegans dressed in traditional clothing, who presented The Queen with a copy of Mahomet's original petition. The Queen then unveiled the memorial dedicated to Mahomet, and the Ambassador addressed the guests (Ambassador’s remarks at Southwark Cathedral).
Members of the Mohegan tribe salute Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as she is seated at the memorial service at Southwark Cathedral.
Left to right: Shane Long, Mohegan Cultural and Community Outreach Specialist; Mark Brown, Ambassador and Tribal Councilor; Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Tribal Chairman; Ambassador Robert Tuttle and Mrs. Tuttle.
(Kelvin Gane Photography) |
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Tribal Chairman Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum offers a Mohegan prayer of gratitude to the Creator as part of the rite of blessing the memorial stone as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II looks on.
(Kelvin Gane Photography) |
Mohegan Tribal Chairman Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum presents a traditional hand-carved pipe of peace to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, at the November 22 ceremony at Southwark Cathedral as Ambassador Robert Tuttle looks on.
(Kelvin Gane Photography) |
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Tribal Chairman Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum and Shane Long play Mohegan music as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, and Southwark Cathedral Dean Colin Slee officiate at the unveiling of the memorial stone.
(Kelvin Gane Photography) |
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II unveils the memorial stone commemorating Mohegan Sachem (chieftain) Mahomet Weyonomon.
(Kelvin Gane Photography) |
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Speeches, Remarks & Events