Co-directed by Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel, a descendant of Occom, and filmmaker Signe Taylor, this new documentary 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 erased from the historical record.
The film features three of Occom’s descendants—Sarah Harris, Vice Chair of the Mohegan Tribal Council and the first Mohegan woman to graduate from Dartmouth; Beth Regan, Native Studies educator and Chair of Mohegan’s Council of Elders; and Bruce Bozsum, a well-regarded actor playing Occom’s spirit and a member of the Council of Elders—creating a powerful dialogue between history, memory, and lived experience. Bringing together leading scholars—including Dartmouth Professor Bruce Duthu and Indigenous Scholar Anthony Trujillo—archival materials, and community voices, the film explores questions of 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.
To watch this, and all other films of our 2026 selection for FREE online, just send us a blank e-mail to register@history-filmfestival.com and automatically receive this year’s code. Availible from 1st to 7th of October 2026. For more details see Take Part.
Director Biography – Signe Margueritte Taylor, Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel
Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel:
The Vice-Chairwoman for the Mohegan Tribal Council of Elders, Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel is an award-winning storyteller and widely published author. Her film work includes writing Flying Bird Diary (2024) and Up and Down the River (2025). As the Writer and Director of Forgotten Founder, Melissa is proud to share the story of her ancestor Samson Occom.
To learn more, please visit:
Wikipedia
Signe Taylor:
An award-winning filmmaker, Signe Taylor directed Circus Dreams, a feature documentary about a traveling youth circus, and It’s Criminal, a feature that highlights our country’s inequalities and offers a vision for how to overcome them. She’s proud to be partnering with Melissa Zobel and the Mohegan Tribe to share the eye-opening story of Samson Occom.
To learn more, please visit:
Wikipedia
circusdreams
itiscriminal
| Signe Margueritte Taylor Director Circus Dreams, It’s Criminal Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel Director, Writer Flying Bird’s Diary R. Michael Murray Producer Sarah Harris Producer Beth Regan Producer Justin Anderson Producer Susanne Mehrer Producer Kathryn Kennedy Producer Bruce Two Dogs Bozsum Key Cast “Samson Occom” Under Cover Boss |
