Category: Munsee

Boston’s Indigenous Roots: The Massachusett Tribe

Boston, a city steeped in American history, is often celebrated for its pivotal role in the Revolutionary War. However, long before the colonists settled and sparked the birth of a nation, the area was inhabited by Native American tribes, primarily the Massachusett people.

Understanding the Massachusett Tribe

The Massachusett tribe, whose name translates to “people of the great hills,” lived in what is now the Greater Boston area. Their territory extended from the Charles River in Massachusetts to the Neponset River, encompassing many islands within the Boston Harbor. The tribe was part of the Algonquian-speaking peoples, with a lifestyle that revolved around fishing, hunting, and agriculture.

Impact of European Settlement

The arrival of European settlers in the early 17th century marked a period of upheaval for the Massachusett tribe. Diseases brought by the settlers decimated the indigenous population, and the subsequent establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony led to further displacement and cultural disruption.

Preserving the Legacy

Today, the legacy of the Massachusett tribe endures through efforts to preserve their history and culture. While the tribe is not federally recognized, descendants and historians work to keep the memory of the Massachusett people alive through education and advocacy.

FAQ

Q: Are there any federally recognized tribes in Massachusetts?
A: Yes, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) is federally recognized.

Q: What happened to the Massachusett tribe?
A: The tribe suffered greatly from disease and displacement following European colonization. Today, they are not federally recognized, but efforts to preserve their history continue.

Definitions

Massachusett Tribe: A Native American tribe that lived in the area now known as Boston and its surroundings.
Algonquian-speaking peoples: A group of Native American tribes sharing the Algonquian language family.
Federally recognized: Official status granted by the U.S. government to certain Native American tribes, acknowledging their sovereignty and providing certain legal rights and…

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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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Who lived in New Hampshire first?

New Hampshire, a picturesque state located in the northeastern part of the United States, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. But who were the first inhabitants of this beautiful region? Let’s delve into the past and uncover the story of the original inhabitants of New Hampshire.

The Native Americans:
The first people to call New Hampshire home were Native American tribes. These indigenous communities had been living in the area for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. The two major tribes that resided in New Hampshire were the Abenaki and the Pennacook.

The Abenaki tribe, part of the larger Algonquian-speaking Native American group, inhabited the western and northern parts of New Hampshire. They were skilled hunters, gatherers, and farmers, relying on the rich natural resources of the region for their sustenance.

The Pennacook tribe, also part of the Algonquian-speaking group, resided in the southern and eastern parts of New Hampshire. They were known for their agricultural practices, cultivating crops such as corn, beans, and squash.

European Arrival:
In the early 17th century, European explorers and settlers began to arrive in New Hampshire. Englishman Captain John Mason, who received a land grant from the Council for New England, established the first European settlement in the region in 1623. This marked the beginning of significant changes for the Native American tribes.

FAQ:

Q: What happened to the Native American tribes after European arrival?
A: The arrival of European settlers had a profound impact on the Native American tribes. The tribes faced diseases brought by the Europeans, conflicts over land, and forced displacement. Many Native Americans were either killed or displaced from their ancestral lands.

Q: Are there any Native American tribes still present in New Hampshire today?
A: While the Abenaki and Pennacook tribes no longer have a significant…

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When he was a younger man, Unkechaug Nation Chief Harry Wallace had a vision.

Wallace saw three sacred bundles — one of which was the talking sticks, a tool of Indigenous democracy that allowed people to take turns speaking.

The vision, he believes, was intended as a message to preserve his community’s language, which had not been spoken for generations, in part due to governmental repression that forced Native Americans to forgo many of their traditions.

“That [his vision] meant that our language was not lost. It simply went into a safe place,” said Wallace. “And it was my mission, my vision, to uncover that safe place and provide a secure place where it could be relearned in a safe, loving way.”

Unkechaug Nation Chief Harry Wallace with a copy of a Native American word list made by Thomas Jefferson. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara

Today, Wallace’s vision — along with that of many other members of the Unkechaug, Shinnecock and Montaukett nations on Long Island — has been realized through the Algonquian Language Revitalization Project.

The project, the result of more than a decade’s worth of collaboration, has produced a language class, a dictionary and a Native American resource library based at Stony Brook University.

According to program coordinator Lizbeth González, the project is part of a national movement to reclaim Native American languages. In some cases, she said, researchers have relied on elders who can speak the languages fluently. But on Long Island, organizers have had to work meticulously, reaching back nearly 400 years to recreate the languages once spoken here.

“There were no teaching materials until the ALRP started to teach,” said González. “There…

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How do we learn and teach about First Nations labour in ways that connect to local economies and Canadian history education?

In a new exhibition, Nii Ndahlohke / I Work, at Art Windsor Essex, labour is the central theme for understanding the history and legacies of Mount Elgin Industrial School, an Indian Residential School in southwestern Ontario.

The exhibition brings together artists from the communities whose children attended this institution, and it runs until June 24, 2024. It emerged from the Munsee Delaware Language and History Group, a community-based language and history learning project.

The group has worked together for many years to study and teach Munsee language and history, and supports research and teaching about Munsee people, communities, languages and territories.

Manual labour demands

Mount Elgin was located at Chippewas of the Thames First Nation in southwestern Ontario. Like other Industrial Schools of its era, Mount Elgin was an underfunded religious federal boarding school and a model farm that was expected to generate income to pay for itself.

Students at the school were expected to work at the institute as much as they were expected to attend class.

Their labour was invisible within the school budget. However, the Indian department was aware that Mount Elgin students were not given progressive training in skilled trades and that manual labour demands on students kept them out of the classroom and therefore compromised their education.

Vanessa Dion Fletcher,Aapáachiiw Return Home, 2022, digital prints. (Frank Piccolo/courtesy of Windsor Essex)

Farm labour, domestic service

Manual labour prepared students for limited work opportunities: farm labour for boys and men, and domestic service for girls and women….

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