Month: November 2023

It goes almost without saying – but I’ll say it anyway – that all the land in New Jersey once belonged to the Indigenous people who lived here for millennia before European colonization. After 400 years of wars, treaties, forced removals and migrations, and unfair government policies, little land in this state remains under Native American control.

That’s why a Sept. 15 “rematriation” ceremony in Quinton Township, Salem County, was such an extraordinary and happy event. The ancient Cohanzick people, part of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Nation, were reunited with a piece of Mother Earth where their ancestors once lived.

The ceremony celebrated the purchase of 63 acres within the Burden Hill Forest by the nonprofit Native American Advancement Corporation (NAAC), in partnership with the New Jersey Green Acres Program, New Jersey Conservation Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and the Open Space Institute.

The land, now known as the Cohanzick Nature Reserve, will be used for conservation, education, and cultural events. A former church building on the property has been transformed into a Native American longhouse, where ceremonies and educational classes will be held. The forested land will be used for traditional Native American activities, including foraging for edible and medicinal native plants, hunting, fishing, and outdoor ceremonies.

“We want to marry the culture with conservation. We believe in being one with nature,” explained Tyrese Gould Jacinto, president and CEO of NAAC. “We don’t take or overpower nature; we ARE nature. If we don’t teach this to the children, then nothing changes.”

Jacinto found the property through a real estate listing when the NAAC was looking for available land, and only later discovered that many of her direct ancestors had lived there. Later, while walking the property, she felt a distinct “energy” that made the air on her arms stand up. She…

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Exploring the Pre-Statehood Ownership of Massachusetts

Before Massachusetts was formally recognized as a state within the United States, the region was inhabited and owned by various indigenous tribes. The area that is now known as Massachusetts was primarily occupied by the Algonquian-speaking peoples, including tribes such as the Wampanoag, the Nauset, and the Massachusett, from whom the state derives its name.

European exploration and colonization brought significant changes to this landscape. The Pilgrims, arriving on the Mayflower in 1620, established one of the first successful English settlements in North America at Plymouth. This marked the beginning of a wave of English colonization that would sweep across the region.

The Massachusetts Bay Colony, chartered by the English Crown in 1629, became a significant center for trade and governance. The Puritans, seeking religious freedom, played a pivotal role in the colony’s development. Land was acquired through a variety of means, including treaties with and purchases from Native American tribes, as well as through direct grants from the English monarchy.

As tensions between the colonies and the British Crown escalated, Massachusetts became a hotbed of revolutionary activity. Following the American Revolution, Massachusetts officially became the sixth state to join the newly formed United States of America on February 6, 1788.

FAQ:

Q: Who were the original inhabitants of Massachusetts?
A: The original inhabitants were various Algonquian-speaking indigenous tribes, including the Wampanoag, Nauset, and Massachusett.

Q: When did Massachusetts become a state?
A: Massachusetts became a state on February 6, 1788.

Q: How did the English acquire land in Massachusetts?
A: Land was acquired through treaties, purchases from Native Americans, and grants from the English monarchy.

Definitions:

Algonquian-speaking peoples: A group of Native American tribes who speak the Algonquian language family, spread across the northeastern region of North America.

Massachusetts Bay Colony: An English settlement on the east coast of North America in the 17th…

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Who lived in Boston before the British arrived?

Boston, the capital city of Massachusetts, is a vibrant and historically rich metropolis that played a significant role in the formation of the United States. But before the arrival of the British settlers in the early 17th century, the area was already home to indigenous peoples who had been living there for thousands of years.

The Native American tribes that inhabited the Boston area were primarily from the Algonquian language group. The most prominent tribes were the Massachusett, Wampanoag, and Nipmuc. These tribes had established settlements along the coast and in the surrounding areas, living off the land and engaging in fishing, hunting, and agriculture.

The arrival of the British in the early 1600s marked a turning point for the indigenous peoples of Boston. The settlers established the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which quickly expanded and encroached upon Native American lands. Over time, conflicts arose between the colonists and the Native Americans, leading to the displacement and marginalization of the indigenous populations.

FAQ:

Q: What is the Algonquian language group?
A: The Algonquian language group is a family of Native American languages spoken by various tribes across North America. It includes languages such as Massachusett, Wampanoag, and Nipmuc.

Q: How did the British settlers impact the indigenous peoples of Boston?
A: The arrival of the British settlers led to the displacement and marginalization of the indigenous peoples. The colonists claimed Native American lands, resulting in conflicts and the loss of traditional territories for the tribes.

Q: Are there any remnants of the indigenous peoples in Boston today?
A: While the indigenous populations were greatly impacted by colonization, efforts have been made to preserve and honor their history and culture. The Massachusett, Wampanoag, and Nipmuc tribes continue to exist today, and there are organizations and initiatives working to promote their heritage.

In…

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Join the Ramapo-Munsee Lenape and the South Street Seaport Museum for a special Land and Water Acknowledgement Ceremony and engaging storytelling to honor the Native people of the region the Seaport Museum now calls home. Together, we will delve deeper into the history of the waterways that influenced New Amsterdam and get a deeper understanding of “Where New York Begins.” The free event will be held on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at 2pm, at 12 Fulton Street. southstreetseaportmuseum.org/lenapehoking

Ramapo-Munsee Lenape Tribal Leaders will give remarks and discuss the history of Lenapehoking, the Indigenous territory of the Canarsee and Manahatoos, who once cultivated and protected the lands that are now known as the South Street Seaport. The ceremony will include screening of the short film Silent Tribute, A Rainey Film & Media Production, and close with a traditional flute song.

Following the ceremony, Amy Martinez, Ramapo-Munsee Lenape tribal member, will present an Indigenous book reading of a work authored by a member of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape.

A reception will follow the program. Registration is encouraged for this free event but walkups will be accommodated as possible.

Brief Indigenous Seaport History

This history is included in the South Street Seaport Museum Land Acknowledgement that will be dedicated by Ramapo-Munsee Lenape Tribal Leaders.

Although natives used tributaries as central highways through the middle of town, they were obligated to use the same rivers as boundaries with colonial land speculators, thus upsetting their own sense of relationship to the land. All headwaters were considered sacred-places where warfare were banned. Rivers and streams were the main forms of transportation. Canoers would take full advantage of the tides to conserve the (muscle and caloric) energy of the day.

An effective energy conserving practice was to hoist the canoe and all their gear over their heads and walk from one river to…

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