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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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