A River Ran Wild

This book is the true story of the environmental history of the Nashua River in Massachusetts.  Almost 7000 years ago the Algonquin people discovered the beautiful river valley, along with its abundant natural resources.  They settled along the river which they named the "Nash-a-way" or the "River With a Pebbled Bottom".  The clean sparkling waters provided fish and drinking water.  The Algonquin were able to grow bountiful crops on the rich floodplain, and the forests provided abundant food.  In turn, the Algonquin community respected and revered the river, ensuring they did nothing to damage its pristine waters.

Then one day European settlers arrived in the area and cleared large tracts of land, built sawmills along the river and trapped all of the large animals for their pelts.  The Algonquin people were dismayed by the damage to the river and fought with the Europeans.  Finally, war broke out and the First Nations people were driven away from the land they loved so much.  The river now known as the Nashua became the property of the European settlers.  Even more damage was done to the Nashua with the advent of the industrial revolution.  Dams blocked the river and industrial waste poured into the water.  Sick and dying, the river no longer provided habitat for fish, birds and other animals.

Then one day a First Nations elder had a dream about a river that becomes clean again.  He shares his experience with his friend Marion who had the same vision.  Marion took on the cause and rallied the people, explaining how they could work together to restore the river to its pristine state.  In a testament to community engagement the people succeeded, and the river became clean and bright.  Once again the Nashua can be called "The River With the Pebbled Bottom".