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Date: 12/18/2023
AMHERST — Two members of the Amherst Town Council were honored for their individual acts of service and contribution to the community.
District 4 Councilor Anika Lopes was voted one of the Indigenous Leaders of Massachusetts by MassLive readers.
“This was a special recognition to receive for my work that centers and calls for pause to acknowledge that no matter the reason or intention, genocide and enslavement happened here; and that it is only through Native American, European American and African American history, together and in that order, that we arrive at American history,” Lopes said. “This creates paths forward and brings community together to tell an actual and more complete story of ourselves and the places we call home. Lost stories inspire initiatives that will be championed by future generations.”
Lopes was recognized for her artistic work which she has indicated was first motivated by her grandfather Dudley Bridges’ restoration work on Civil War tablets.
She called Amherst, “a treasure with an abundance of stories to bring forward, including those of its Black and Afro Indigenous residents who served in the Massachusetts 54th Regiment and 5th Cavalry and make our town an important place in the history of Juneteenth!”
District 1 Councilor Michele Miller was recognized by the National African American Reparations Commission and Robin Rue Simmons’ First Repair for her work advancing local reparations through the African Heritage Reparation Assembly.
“I am honored to receive this special recognition from two organizations leading the way in the local reparations movement,” Miller said in a statement. “We all have a significant and unique role to play in advancing reparative justice for African heritage people and thereby advancing the wellbeing of our communities as a whole. I share this award with members of the African Heritage Reparation Assembly, whose leadership and fortitude move Amherst toward a better future.”
Lopes and Miller are both leaving their respective council posts at year’s end.