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Author of the article:

The Associated Press

Todd Richmond

Published Dec 18, 2023  •  Last updated 1 day ago  •  3 minute read

FILE – Shannon Holsey, president of the Stockbridge-Munsee tribe, speaks to reporters after giving the annual State of the Tribes address in the Wisconsin state Capitol Tuesday, April 4, 2017, in Madison, Wisc. Indigenous students from any of Wisconsin’s 11 tribes will be able to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison for free beginning next fall, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin announced Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. Holsey called the aid program “cycle-breaking” for Indigenous youth. Photo by Cara Lombardo /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Indigenous students from any of Wisconsin’s 11 tribes will be able to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison for free beginning next fall, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin announced Monday.

The Wisconsin Tribal Education Promise program will use private donations and other internal funding to cover tuition, fees, housing, meals, books and other expenses for undergraduate students after they’ve applied any other scholarships and grants they’ve earned, Mnookin said at a news conference. Students must show they’re enrolled tribal members to qualify.

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On Dec. 18, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin speaks at a press conference in Bascom Hall to announce the Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise program. Seated, from left, are Carla Vigue, director of tribal relations for UW–Madison; Shannon Holsey, president of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians and chairwoman of the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council; Jon Greendeer, president of Ho-Chunk Nation; and Kalista Memengwaa Cadotte, UW student and member of Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. Photo: Bryce Richter

Beginning in the fall of 2024, the University of Wisconsin–Madison will offer financial support to cover the full cost of pursuing an undergraduate degree for Wisconsin residents who are enrolled members of federally recognized Wisconsin Indian tribes, Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin announced today.

The commitment covers not only tuition and fees but also housing, meals, books and other educational expenses.

Additionally, a 5-year pilot program will cover in-state tuition and fees for students pursuing a J.D. (law) or M.D. (medical) degree who are Wisconsin residents and enrolled members of federally recognized Wisconsin tribes.

Together, the two new initiatives will be called the Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise program. The program does not rely on taxpayer funding; rather, it’s supported by other institutional resources, such as private donations.

“As a university, we are deeply committed to a future of mutual respect and cooperation with the American Indian tribes in Wisconsin,” Mnookin says. “This program is another tangible, meaningful step in that direction.”

As university leaders developed the initiatives over the past year, they consulted with the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, a consortium that includes the tribal chairperson or president of each of the 11 federally recognized American Indian tribes in Wisconsin. Mnookin met with…

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People who have visited Greece or Cyprus may remember that the Greek word for “thank you” is euxaristó, pronounced “efharistó”. This is actually a verb-form meaning “I thank [you]”, so if several people are expressing gratitude, you should say euxaristoume “we thank [you]”.

Those readers who go to church may recognise that the Greek word for “thank you” is the source of the English word Eucharist, which is often used as a synonym for the Christian service of Holy Communion, although its basic meaning is in fact “thanksgiving”.

This is not to be confused with the American Thanksgiving celebration, of course, which was celebrated last month. Since 1941 it has always been celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November – in Canada it occurs on the second Monday of October. Historically, it is not totally unrelated to the Eucharist because thanks are involved, but it is now a predominantly secular occasion which is celebrated by Americans of all ethnicities, and of all religions and none.

It began in the USA as a kind of autumn harvest festival, a day of giving thanks for that year’s produce. It is widely believed by Americans that their modern festival is a tradition descending from the 1621 harvest supper shared between the Pilgrim Fathers and the indigenous Algonquian-speaking Wampanoag people, who subsequently came close to extinction as a result of imported European diseases, and of being sold into slavery elsewhere in New England as well as in the Caribbean, by the English-speaking settlers.

The Wampanoag language is a dialect of Massachusett, a Southern New England Algonquian language, which tragically lost its last native speakers more than a century ago. These people do not have a great deal to be thankful for.

At Thanksgiving, Americans typically eat native produce – turkey, potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin…

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Title: The Rivalry Between the Iroquois Confederacy and the Algonquian Tribes

Introduction:
The history of Native American tribes in North America is rich and diverse, marked by intricate relationships and occasional conflicts. One such rivalry existed between the Iroquois Confederacy and the Algonquian tribes. This article aims to shed light on the Algonquian tribes’ opposition to the Iroquois, exploring the historical context, reasons behind the conflict, and its impact on both groups.

Understanding the Iroquois Confederacy and the Algonquian Tribes:
The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee, was a powerful alliance of Native American tribes located in the northeastern part of North America. Comprising the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations, and later joined by the Tuscarora, the Iroquois Confederacy formed a formidable force in the region.

On the other hand, the Algonquian tribes were a vast linguistic and cultural group that encompassed numerous tribes spread across the northeastern woodlands, the Great Lakes region, and parts of the Atlantic coast. Some prominent Algonquian tribes included the Lenape, Powhatan, Wampanoag, and Narragansett.

Reasons for Opposition:
1. Territorial Disputes: One of the primary reasons for the opposition between the Iroquois and the Algonquian tribes was territorial disputes. Both groups sought control over hunting grounds, fertile lands, and strategic locations, leading to frequent clashes.

2. Fur Trade Competition: The fur trade played a significant role in the European colonization of North America. Both the Iroquois and the Algonquian tribes were involved in this trade, which often led to competition and conflicts over access to European traders and their goods.

3. Cultural Differences: The Iroquois and the Algonquian tribes had distinct cultural practices, languages, and social structures. These differences sometimes fueled misunderstandings and conflicts, as each group sought to protect and preserve its unique way of life.

Impact of the Conflict:
The opposition between the Iroquois Confederacy and the…

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STATEN ISLAND, NY — In honor of Native American Heritage Month in November, the Conference House Association (CHA) introduced the Wisdom Walk, designed to honor and remember the indigenous people who once called Staten Island home.

The CHA introduced the park’s newest addition during the November 30th Anniversary Commemoration of the Wards Point Archeological National Historic Landmark, which sits within Conference House Park.

In honor of Native American Heritage Month in November, the Conference House Association (CHA) introduced the Wisdom Walk during the 30th Anniversary Commemoration of the Wards Point Archeological National Historic Landmark. (Courtesy of Conference House Association)Courtesy of the Conference House Association

Three themes can be observed in the landmark: land, sea and trees. The themes don’t solely represent the Lenape-Munsee, but represent Native American wisdom and sayings that have been recorded and survived through the years.

In attendance at the event were representatives of the Delaware Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma and the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohicans of Massachusetts, two of the three federally recognized tribes with ancestral connections to Staten Island.

In honor of Native American Heritage Month in November, the Conference House Association (CHA) introduced the Wisdom Walk during the 30th Anniversary Commemoration of the Wards Point Archeological National Historic Landmark. (Courtesy of Conference House Association)Courtesy of the Conference House Association

The collaborative project was initiated by the CHA in collaboration with NYC Parks-Conference House Park and the Tottenville Historical Society, with funding from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.

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Title: Unveiling the Complex Intertribal Relations of the Iroquois Confederacy

Introduction:
The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee, holds a prominent place in Native American history. Renowned for their political organization, cultural richness, and military prowess, the Iroquois Confederacy has often been associated with intertribal conflicts. In this article, we delve into the intricate dynamics of the Iroquois’ relationships with other tribes, shedding light on the complexities that shaped their interactions.

Understanding Intertribal Relations:
Intertribal relations among Native American tribes were multifaceted, influenced by factors such as territorial disputes, trade networks, cultural exchanges, and alliances. The Iroquois Confederacy, comprising the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations, played a significant role in these intertribal dynamics.

1. The Iroquois Confederacy’s Confederation:
The Iroquois Confederacy was a unique political alliance formed by the five nations mentioned above. This confederation was established to promote peace, resolve conflicts, and provide a united front against external threats. The confederacy’s formation aimed to end the incessant intertribal warfare that had plagued the region for centuries.

2. Conflicts with Algonquian Tribes:
While the Iroquois Confederacy sought peace among its member nations, conflicts with neighboring Algonquian tribes were not uncommon. The Algonquian tribes, such as the Huron, Abenaki, and Ojibwe, often found themselves at odds with the expanding influence of the Iroquois. These conflicts were driven by territorial disputes, competition for resources, and differing political aspirations.

3. The Beaver Wars:
One of the most notable periods of intertribal conflict involving the Iroquois Confederacy was the Beaver Wars (c. 1609-1701). During this time, the Iroquois engaged in a series of military campaigns against various Algonquian tribes, primarily in the Great Lakes region. The wars were driven by the desire to control the lucrative fur trade and expand their territory.

4. Alliances and Diplomacy:
Intertribal relations were not solely defined by conflict. The Iroquois Confederacy…

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The Berkshire Museum’s repatriation of remains to the Stockbridge-Munsee tribe was part of a larger process that began in 1990 when a landmark federal law ordered America’s museums and universities to return Native American cultural objects.

When the Berkshire Museum gives two sets of human remains to the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians, it will be a successful step forward for a process as difficult as it is morally necessary. It will not only be a clear-eyed accounting of a deep historical wound but an example of how, with respect and recognition, it is never too late to hope for healing and reconciliation.

The remains are set to be transferred from the custody of the Berkshire Museum to the Stockbridge-Munsee tribe, which plans to give them a dignified reburial. The remains were donated to the Berkshire Athenaeum in 1932. Years before that, in the late 19th century, they were recovered in a river washout in the late 19th century in the area of Springfield and Longmeadow. Like so many Native American remains once laid to rest in tribal burial locations, they were carelessly unearthed by the same forces of expanding American empire that pushed their peoples out, catalogued and stored as exhibits and artifacts without regard for the wishes or traditions of the deceased individuals or their tribes.

How would you feel if your family’s bones were raked from the earth and appropriated as the property of those whose ancestors dispossessed yours? Unfortunately, many Native Americans don’t have to imagine such a rending ordeal adding insult to the injury of displacement and destruction.

Fortunately, much has changed in the world of museum ethics…

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Jogwe, Hayakawa discuss past, present, future of Indigenous studies at the College – The Williams Record
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The Berkshire Museum is repatriating the remains of two Native ancestors to the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians.

In the 1990s, in response to a federal law, the Berkshire Museum classified the two cranial bone fragments as “culturally unidentifiable.” Under federal regulations, if Native remains are not classified as culturally affiliated, museums are not required to proactively reach out to tribes.

In addition to the human remains, the Museum has 13 objects that are believed to have been buried with the remains; 10 pottery shards and three stone tools.

The only documentation the museum has are tiny pieces of paper saying the remains, which were donated in the late 1800s, were dug up from river washout near an Indian burial ground in the Springfield – Longmeadow area.

A 1995 report from the University of Massachusetts concluded these remains belong to one adult and one adolescent.

Now, after consulting with representatives from the Stockbridge – Munsee band, the museum published a notice in the federal register stating the remains are affiliated with that tribe.

Jason Vivori, the museum’s collections manager, said under the lawmuseums determine which tribe the remains belong to, but he said the Berkshire Museum sees the repatriation process differently.

“If they [Native tribes] provide us with a good reason why, we’re not questioning it or challenging it. This is their culture and their ancestors,” Vivori said.

The tribe did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Bonney Hartley, the Stockbridge-Munsee tribal historic preservation officer, told the Berkshire Eagle, “We are trying to step in and respectfully care for the ancestors and provide a dignified reburial for them, so they don’t remain on shelves at the museum and disturbed in their journey.”

The museum will hold the remains until the tribe is ready to take physical custody of them.

Revised federal regulations that…

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PITTSFIELD — The remains were found in the late 19th century. 

A tag indicated they were recovered at a river washout in “Springfield/Longmeadow,” and a forensic exam conducted by the University of Massachusetts in 1995 found they likely belonged to an adult and an adolescent.

The location suggests they could belong to any of a few different Native American tribes. They were donated to the Berkshire Athenaeum and went into the Berkshire Museum’s collection when the entities separated in 1932.

Now, nearly a century later, the museum has granted custody of the two sets of remains to the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians.

“Because we have standing, and it is part of our history in that area and we have kinship ties,” said Bonney Hartley, who is the tribal historic preservation officer for the tribe. “We are trying to step in and respectfully care for the ancestors and provide a dignified reburial for them, so they don’t remain on shelves at the museum and disturbed in their journey.”

Artifacts, all of which have been repatriated to the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohicans, are on display as part of a public exhibit at the Mission House in Stockbridge. 

EAGLE FILE PHOTO

The repatriation was part of a larger process that began in 1990 when a landmark federal law, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, ordered America’s museums and universities to return Native American cultural objects, including the remains of ancestors removed from their burial locations.

The long, slow process continues today, with the cataloging of thousands of items to find their rightful home, happening largely out of the spotlight.

“It’s more pervasive than most people are aware of, and not publicized because of the sensitives involved,” said Hartley, who works from the Stockbridge-Munsee office in Williamstown. “We…

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