Long before Worcester became the city we know today, the land was home to the Nipmuc people — a thriving Indigenous nation whose culture, language, and traditions continue to endure. As we mark Indigenous People’s Day, this piece invites readers to reflect on the true history of our region, from the villages that once surrounded Lake Quinsigamond to the modern-day Nipmuc Nation that still calls Central Massachusetts home. It’s a reminder that the stories of Worcester begin long before colonization — and that honoring them is an act of respect, awareness, and community healing.