About Don “Strong Turtle” Brown, Jr

Don “Strong Turtle” Brown, Jr. is an Indigenous historian of the Pokanoket Tribe and a living descendant of Massasoit Ousamequin, his son Metacom (King Philip), Simeon Simons, and a cousin of the late Mary E. Glasko (Princess Red Wing). He serves as Pokanoket Tribal Historian, working to corroborate Pokanoket oral history with primary historical sources to ensure accurate and responsible interpretation of the past. He has presented public lectures and seminars at Roger Williams University and at the Somerset, East Providence, Bristol and Norton Historical Societies, addressing Pokanoket history and the legacy of King Philip’s War. He works closely with the Sowams Heritage Project on public interpretation and historical preservation and has served as an Indigenous historical consultant for published works, including Philippa Gregory’s Fairmile series (Dawnlands) and Mayflower Chronicles: The Tale of Two Cultures by Kathryn Brewster Haueisen. He also leads lectures and professional development workshops on Pokanoket history for public educators in the Bristol and Barrington, Rhode Island school districts.