Residents donate portrait of Massoya Osumiquin for council chamber display

Jenny Flanigan, who introduced herself from 46 Washington Street, presented a donated reproduction of a historic painting of Massoya Osumiquin and asked the council to accept it for display in the council chambers. "I wish to thank you for accepting the donation to the town of this portrait of Massoya Osumiquin," Flanigan told the meeting, framing the portrait as recognition of the town's early history.

A historian's statement read by Flanigan praised the town's recognition of Osumiquin and outlined efforts backed by the Sooms Heritage Project to advance regional acknowledgement of indigenous presence. A self-identified descendent and tribal representative who attended the unveiling thanked the council and referenced prior town resolutions recognizing indigenous peoples; he said the family looks forward to collaborating with Warren going forward.

The presentation included local arts- and preservation-group acknowledgments for funding and conservation of the reproduction. Council members thanked the donors and the artist and accepted the portrait for public display in the council chamber.