Forgotten Founder
This new documentary uncovers the history of Mohegan minister and educator Samson Occom, whose fundraising efforts were instrumental in Dartmouth's founding.
This new documentary uncovers the history of Mohegan minister and educator Samson Occom, whose fundraising efforts were instrumental in Dartmouth's founding.
Co-directed by Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel, a direct descendant of Occom, and filmmaker Signe Taylor, this new documentary uncovers the largely erased history of Samson Occom, a Mohegan minister, educator and Indigenous intellectual whose fundraising efforts were instrumental in the founding of Dartmouth College. Despite his central role, Occom's contributions—and the promises made to Native communities—were minimized or omitted from the historical record.
Weaving together past and present through an intimate, intergenerational lens, the film features three of Occom's descendants—two as interview participants and one portraying Occom on screen—creating a rare dialogue between history, memory and lived experience. Through Indigenous voices, archival materials and embodied performance, Forgotten Founder explores legacy, accountability and survival.
Discussion follows.
Programmed as part of Indigenous People's Month in collaboration with the Native American Program, the Dartmouth Libraries and the Office of Communications
This event is free but registration is required.
