Forgotten Founder: The Untold Story of Samson Occom and Dartmouth

Forgotten Founder: The Untold Story of Samson Occom and Dartmouth uncovers the largely erased history of Samson Occom, a Mohegan minister, educator, and Indigenous intellectual whose fundraising efforts were instrumental in the founding of Dartmouth College. Despite his central role, Occom’s contributions—and the promises made to Native communities—were minimized or omitted from the historical record.

Co-directed by Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel, a direct descendant of Occom, and filmmaker Signe Taylor, the documentary weaves together past and present through an intimate, intergenerational lens. The film features three of Occom’s descendants—two as interview participants and one portraying Occom on screen—creating a rare dialogue between history, memory, and lived experience. Through Indigenous voices, archival materials, and embodied performance, Forgotten Founder explores legacy, accountability, and survival.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the film arrives at a critical moment. In an era when history itself is fiercely contested, Forgotten Founder calls for a fuller, more honest reckoning with America’s origins—one that acknowledges Indigenous presence, contribution, and resilience, and insists that these stories be restored to the center of our national memory.

PRODUCER: R. Michael Murray, Sarah Harris, Beth Regan, Justin Anderson, Susanne Mehrer & Kathryn Kennedy.