This year, with Tete already in Ghana for family obligations, the Witness Tree Board did not hold its annual June retreat; however, three board members and three supporters met in Portsmouth, New Hampshire for a Juneteenth celebration. We followed a marching band for almost a mile from Kittery, Maine across the Piscataqua River Bridge to the African Burying Ground Memorial in Portsmouth for speeches, prayers, remembrances, singing, drumming and dancing. We were reminded by the speakers that “the future of freedom rests on all our shoulders” and “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed” (MLK) and that we ALL need to contribute to the healing of America’s troubled past - that “tough and sometimes uncomfortable conversations bring us closer.” African Americans are a small percentage of New Hampshire’s population, but they have had an important presence there for over 300 years. The Burying Ground dates to the 1700s and is believed to be the oldest known one in New England. Many others may be lost to development, as was this one. Until it was found.
Witness Tree friends about to cross the Piscataqua River Bridge
When Juneteenth became a national US holiday in 2021, the Witness Tree Institute was preparing to run its first session. Board members met for their second annual retreat in Vermont on a weekend that auspiciously included both Juneteenth and the Summer Solstice. The month of June in New England can be so welcoming and liberating – full of fragrance from blooming catalpa, linden, milkweed, increasing warmth and long daylight hours, lending itself to feeling free and gathering outdoors! Our first retreat was in June 2020, while the pandemic was in full swing, but we could occupy green open space to do the work of WTIG, and also celebrate! The Board aims to hold its annual meeting around this time, partly because the school year is over, but also because we derive so much energy from Juneteenth, believing that it shares some DNA with Witness Tree!
Akwaaba Ensemble of Manchester, New Hampshire approaching the African Burying Memorial
Themes of welcome (Akwaaba), affirmation, freedom, joy, shared history and (re)claiming identity all contribute to a more just and promising future for schools, communities and families. The Witness Tree Institute and Juneteenth strive to be living, adaptable bridge-builders spanning histories, races, generations and cultures. Both ask, “how can we honor our ancestors?” Both implicitly ask, “What does it mean for us today to be a good ancestor?” Both have justice at their cores and explore the many aspects of freedom that Americans continue to strive for. Both Juneteenth and Witness Tree celebrate the beloved community with shared food, song and dance following the work of the day. So, here’s to what sustains us and here’s to the planting, harvesting and eating of okra, corn, groundnuts, beans, collards, plantain, strawberries and watermelon growing on either side of the Atlantic! Here’s to witnessing and wishing the 2025 participants a joyful, productive and liberating time together.
– Elizabeth U Cobblah, retired art teacher Fenn School, Concord Massachusetts
