Ep 540: Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan and guest Mishy Lesser on hmTv

“In this powerful episode of Ordinary Heroes, Bernie Furshpan sits down with Dr. Mishy Lesser for a deeply honest conversation about truth, history, and the courage to act.

Dr. Lesser challenges the way history is often taught, exposing the dangers of “twistery”—distorted narratives that erase Indigenous voices and realities. Together, they explore why confronting uncomfortable truths doesn’t weaken students, but strengthens them, and why moral courage must be taught just as intentionally as academic subjects.

From the difference between bystanders and upstanders to the real-world consequences of inaction, this episode pushes listeners to reflect: When have we stayed silent, and what will we do differently next time?

This is not just a conversation—it’s a call to action.

Key themes:

• The cost of historical erasure

• Teaching truth without shame

• Moral courage as a learned skill

• Turning reflection into action

If you’ve ever thought “I should have done something,” this episode will challenge you to be ready the next time it matters.”

Listen at hmTv.

The History of Philanthropic Wealth in Maine Report and Toolkit

“Philanthropic giving in Maine has resulted in significant achievements. However, the wealth that makes it possible often originated from harmful historical events and practices such as land dispossession, enslavement, and environmental degradation. In recent years, many in philanthropy are joining a growing movement to uncover the truth about the origins of philanthropic wealth, change the inequitable practices that continue to exclude and exploit, and take steps towards repair.

This project aimed to explore the history of wealth in Maine and ways in which today’s funders can implement restorative and transformative funding practices to promote equity and address historic harms. Project staff conducted secondary research and completed interviews with historians and philanthropists in Maine. This report summarizes the findings from this research and offers tools for reflection and resources for deeper learning. We hope that it calls you in to learn, reflect, and act.”

Continue reading the report.

Ep 479: Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan and guest Adam Mazo on hmTv

“In this episode of Ordinary Heroes on hmTv, host Bernie Furshpan speaks with filmmaker and educator Adam Mazo, co-founder of the Upstander Project, about the importance of standing up against injustice and the power of storytelling to inspire change.

Drawing from the lessons of the Holocaust and other historical injustices, Bernie and Adam explore the difference between bystanders and upstanders and why ordinary people have the ability and responsibility to act when they witness hate, bullying, or discrimination. Adam shares how the Upstander Project began, how documentary films such as Coexist and Dawnland illuminate hidden histories, and why film can be such a powerful tool for building empathy and awareness.

The conversation also reflects on the legacy of Holocaust survivors, the dangers of silence in the face of injustice, and practical ways educators, communities, and young people can cultivate courage, compassion, and responsibility.

At a time when the world often feels divided, this episode reminds us that even small acts of courage can make a meaningful difference. Becoming an upstander does not require extraordinary power. It simply requires the willingness to care for others and to speak up when something is not right.”

Listen at hmTv.

Points North Community Film Screening : Dirigo Docs

“Every year the Camden International Film Festival presents the best short documentaries made in and about Maine. By popular demand, we're bringing our favorite Maine-made shorts from the past 10 years to the Colonial. This program will feature seven films focusing on the people, animals, and puppets living in this special part of the world.

Weckuwapok (The Approaching Dawn) Dir. Lauren Stevens, Tracy Rector, Kavita Pillay, Roger Paul, Chris Newell, Adam Mazo, Taylor Hensel, Jacob Bearchum – CIFF, 2022”

Continue reading at Maine Public.

Acadia: Yo-Yo Ma and the Wabanaki Play for the Dawn

“Ana González: Would you describe yourself as an outdoorsman? 

Yo-Yo Ma: No. No, I'd like to pretend that I am. I have many fantasies of parachuting someplace and going, you know, fly fishing or rock climbing. But I, I'm not … is this being recorded? 

Ana González: Yes. 

Yo-Yo Ma: What is this? 

Ana González: Well, I want to know why are you making a podcast about being outside so much?

Yo-Yo Ma: Oh, that's a very good question. Well, first of all, it's what doesn't exist in my life that I know is missing. 

ANA GONZÁLEZ: Hi, I'm Ana González and this is Our Common Nature, a musical journey with Yo-Yo Ma through this complicated country to help us all find that connection to nature that so many of us are missing. We climb mountains, play music, play music, drive dirt roads, recite poetry, traverse rivers and oceans and our own brains –  all to figure out how to better live on our planet. Together.”

Continue lisenting or reading at WNYC Studios.

Fourth Annual Watertown Celebrates Indigenous People’s Day on Oct. 12, Free Entry

“Watertown’s 4th celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day will be held on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, from 12:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the Hosmer Elementary School, 1 Concord Road, Watertown, MA.  The free event will feature Indigenous musicians, artists and vendors.

Performers include: Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers; Teddy Hendricks, Mashpee Wampanoag & Nipmuc, storyteller; and Maria Hendricks, Assonet & Mashpee Wampanoag, MC.  Artisans Darius Coombs and Eleanor Coombs, Mashpee Wampanoag, will be demonstrating how to create wampum and corn husk dolls. Participants will be able to make their own corn husk dolls. Gianni Hendrix, Mashpee Wampanoag & Nipmuc, will provide face painting. 

Wampwheels, a food truck, will be outside on Concord Road and will be selling delicious Indigenous food that people can bring into the event. Indigenous vendors include: Claudia Fox Tree, Arawak-Taino iukaieke Guainia, Arawak Designs, Linda Coombs, Aquinnah Wampanoag, Leslie Tuplin, First Nation Mik Maq-Lennox Island – PEI, Native Solutions and Cindy Shelley, Up the Creek Traders. Belmont Bookstore will be selling books by and about Indigenous people and the Watertown Free Library Bookmobile will have books about Indigenous people to borrow.

A special feature of this year’s celebration will be a preview of “Pigsgusset and Watertown: What You Didn’t Know About the Original Peoples and the Founding of Watertown,” a Storymap.  Presenters include Dr. Mishy Lesser, Upstander Project and Dr. Nathan Braccio, Assistant Professor of History at Clark University. They will be joined by Marilynne K. Roach and Joyce Kelly of the Historical Society of Watertown. Those who attend will be among the first to view the newly created storymap.”

Continue reading at Watertown News.

Inaugural Jamaica Plain Film Festival Celebrates Diversity on Screen Sept. 5-7

“Works from filmmakers with ties to Jamaica Plain will be screened during the inaugural Jamaica Plain Film Festival, Sept. 5-7, at the Loring Greenough House.

Founded by Alice Hutton, the co-director of programs for the Loring Greenough House, and Yenaba Sesay Davies, the three-day festival will take place on the property of the Loring Greenough House. Attendees are asked to bring their own seating; all films are ticketed.

Hutton, who has a journalism background, contacted filmmakers with Jamaica Plain ties about eight months ago when she first conceived of the idea for the festival: “[I] thought, ‘What's the best way to throw the umbrella as wide as possible?' So I just made a lot of calls,” she told the Boston Globe…

Saturday evening will showcase Dawnland, directed by filmmakers Ben Pender-Cudlip and Adam Mazo. The 2018 feature-length documentary won an Emmy award for Outstanding Research. It centers on an investigation into the history of Native American children and their interactions with state child welfare authorities in Maine.”

Continue reading at Rock 92.9.

The first-ever Jamaica Plain Film Festival highlights voices from the neighborhood

“The first Jamaica Plain Film Festival will take place Sept. 5-7 at the Loring Greenough House, showcasing dynamic works by filmmakers with neighborhood ties.

Festival founder Alice Hutton moved to Jamaica Plain in March 2020 from London. In 2021, she joined the Loring Greenough House, where she serves as co-director of programs. The community-centered, evening events invite locals and food trucks to gather in the garden and grounds of the 18th-century Sumner Hill former residence; this year, it runs through October.

Hutton was encouraged by the Thursday series’ popularity to organize the three-day film festival, with the help of co-founder Yenaba Sesay Davies. Films are ticketed and will be screened on the property’s lawn; attendees are asked to bring their own seating, such as blankets or low-seat, folding chairs…

Saturday evening will feature “Dawnland,” directed by local filmmakers Ben Pender-Cudlip and Adam Mazo. The 2018 feature-length documentary won an Emmy award for Outstanding Research and centers on an investigation into the history of Native American children being forcefully displaced by state child welfare authorities in Maine.

Upstander Project — a Boston-based organization that produces impact-centered documentary films, including “Dawnland,” and likewise educational and advocacy work — will speak prior to the screening, with Mazo, who lives in JP, joining for a Q&A following. The North American Indian Center of Boston will also present at the pre-screening Beer Garden reception to educate attendees about the status of Native American rights in Massachusetts. “Because of our work with ‘Dawnland,’ I’ve grown very connected to making sure that we’re being better neighbors and collaborating with folk from the Massachusetts tribe at Ponkapoag,” said Mazo. “[That we’re] learning and teaching those stories, as well, which is really critical to the work that we do.”

Continue reading at The Boston Globe.