Category: Munsee

Language a sacred asset for all cultures

More than once, I’ve been asked, “Do you speak Indian?” It’s like asking, “Do you speak European?”

It’s estimated that over 500 Indigenous languages and dialects were spoken in North America before the arrival of the first Europeans “Algonquian, reclaimed,” LI Life, Nov. 12].

Unfortunately, due to the efforts of our government, missionaries and other organizations, many Indian languages were lost over the centuries.

However, several government programs have been implemented to help revitalize Indian languages and cultures, as well as improve educational opportunities within Native American and Alaska Native communities.

As with all cultures, language is a vital asset and is sacred. It defines who people are, where they came from, and their value systems.

These programs will produce new generations of Indian speakers who will encourage others to learn the Indigenous languages. It will be celebrated and revitalized.

— Chet Lukaszewski, Huntington

The writer taught a high school American Indian Studies course.

Wind projects need to get things going

It is to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s credit that after causing major offshore wind projects to derail, she is trying to get them back on track as quickly as possible [“New wind projects facing increased cost scrutiny,” News, Nov. 6].

Having these same developers re-bid in an economically feasible manner would save redoing years of preparation, including construction in process.

Could different companies make more attractive bids? It’s possible, but the longer these projects take to go into effect, the longer it will take for us to see energy cost savings from them.

Transitioning from Long Island’s principally gas-powered electric grid to a clean one cuts the risks of pollution to our health and environment, both costly.

Of course, developers aren’t going to help us meet our climate goals out of the goodness of their hearts. Their companies do have to make a profit. But they can…

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Students of HIST 276 help organize Images’ inaugural Indigenous Peoples Film Festival, collaborate with SMC Cultural Affairs Department – The Williams Record

Uncovering the Indigenous Roots of New Hampshire

Before the waves of European colonization swept across North America, the region now known as New Hampshire was home to various indigenous groups, whose presence and culture predate recorded history. These native inhabitants played a crucial role in shaping the land’s history, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence the state today.

Indigenous Tribes of Pre-Colonial New Hampshire

The primary inhabitants of the area were the Abenaki and Pennacook tribes, both belonging to the larger Algonquian-speaking peoples. These communities thrived through fishing, hunting, and agriculture, cultivating crops such as corn, beans, and squash. Their societies were structured around seasonal movements, with established villages often located near rivers and lakes, which provided rich resources for sustenance and transportation.

Impact of European Contact

The arrival of European settlers in the 17th century marked the beginning of drastic changes for New Hampshire’s indigenous population. Diseases, land disputes, and the pressures of colonial expansion led to significant population declines and the disruption of traditional ways of life. Despite these challenges, the legacy of New Hampshire’s first inhabitants endures, with contemporary efforts to preserve and honor their history and culture.

FAQs:

Q: What languages did the indigenous people of New Hampshire speak?
A: They primarily spoke various dialects of the Algonquian language family.

Q: Are there any indigenous groups still present in New Hampshire?
A: Yes, descendants of the original tribes still live in New Hampshire, maintaining their cultural heritage and traditions.

Definitions:

– Abenaki: A Native American tribe originally from the New England region.
– Pennacook: An Algonquian-speaking Native American tribe that lived in present-day New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
– Algonquian: Referring to a family of Native American languages spoken by peoples from the Atlantic Coast to the Great Lakes region.

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“I want us to acknowledge that SUNY New Paltz stands on the land that is the traditional territory of the people of the Stockbridge-Munsee, Espopus and Lenape tribes, who inhabited and cared for this land before European colonizers named this region New Paltz,” said President Darrell P. Wheeler during his 2023 Commencement speech. “The Stockbridge-Munsee, Esopus and Lenape are not relics of our past, but rather exist in the modern understanding of our institution. We humbly ask that our daily efforts to educate, learn and to care for this land honor them.”

We observe Native American Heritage Month in November, which began as a week-long celebration in 1986 under President Reagan, to recognize the invaluable contributions of Native peoples that have shaped our country, honor the hundreds of Tribal Nations who continue to exercise their sovereignty, pay tribute to their rich ancestry and histories and acknowledge the role we as colonizers had in their suffering.

In the thousand years or so before European contact, the Native peoples in the New Paltz area lived in small migratory clans or villages of 10 to 100 family members. “They were agriculturalists,” said Joseph Diamond, professor of archeology at SUNY New Paltz. These Native peoples “grew corn, beans, and various species of squash, and gathered plant foods such as hickory, nuts, butternuts, walnuts, acorns, chestnuts and various berries to supplement their diet.”

They carved containers and utensils, fashioned hunting, trapping and fishing gear, baskets and pottery and made clothing, which they decorated with porcupine quills, shells and other items from nature. Storytellers passed on how life came to be, how the earth was created, how the people learned to sing and what the stars could teach them. This civilization learned how to live in peace, with…

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Unearthing Michigan’s Pre-Statehood Inhabitants

Before Michigan’s admission to the Union in 1837, the region was a tapestry of Native American tribes, each with its own distinct culture and history. The primary inhabitants were the Anishinaabe groups, which included the Ojibwe (Chippewa), Odawa (Ottawa), and Potawatomi peoples. These tribes were part of the Algonquian language family and were known for their intricate trade networks, seasonal migrations, and the cultivation of corn, beans, and squash.

European Encounters and Territorial Changes

The first European to set foot in what would become Michigan was the French explorer Étienne Brûlé in 1620. Subsequently, French fur traders and Jesuit missionaries established outposts and relationships with the indigenous populations. The region fell under British control after the French and Indian War and was later ceded to the newly formed United States following the American Revolution, under the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

Transition to Statehood

As American settlers moved westward, tensions rose with the Native American tribes, leading to a series of conflicts and treaties that would gradually cede tribal lands to the U.S. government. The 1807 Treaty of Detroit, for example, was a significant land cession that paved the way for increased American settlement. By the time Michigan became the 26th state, the indigenous population had been greatly diminished and displaced through these treaties and subsequent policies.

FAQ

Q: What are the Anishinaabe tribes?
A: The Anishinaabe tribes are a group of culturally related indigenous peoples in the Great Lakes region, including the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi.

Q: How did European contact affect the Native American tribes in Michigan?
A: European contact introduced trade, disease, and conflict, which significantly altered the lives and territories of Native American tribes in Michigan.

Q: What was the Treaty of Detroit?
A: The Treaty of Detroit was an 1807 agreement between the United States and several Native American tribes,…

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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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