Little Rhody - Today's Native Americans ( Brief Look at the Wampanoags )

My previous posts identified the Wampanoag Indians as one of the original native populations in areas in Rhode Island and those later to become Rhode Island, although they were actually spread throughout a large area of New England.  And, although Plymouth (MA) might be considered as their most important center, there were other important villages, too,  including one primarily located in present-day Bristol (RI) and it's surrounding towns.  After the deaths of ally Canonchet (chief of RI's Narragansett Indians) and Metacomet/King Philip (chief of the Wampanoag  Tribe), and the end of King Philip's War, the Wampanoag Tribe ceased to be an organized tribe because they had lost just about all of their members in the war, to the slavery trade, or to later round-ups and executions.  Most of those who did remain had already allied themselves with the colonists or managed to join other tribes.

Descendants of the original Wampanoags continue to live throughout New England and have close relationships with other tribes, such as the Mohegans and the Mohicans.  They re-established themselves as a tribe and their centers continue to be situated in Massachusetts. Because they do cover such an expansive area, these Native Americans align themselves with their appropriate centers, such as the Natick Wampanoags and the Cape Cod Wampanoags.

One of the more well-known centers is home to the Aquinnah (Gay Head) Wampanoags, who have a reservation at Gay Head on the island of Martha's Vineyard (MA).  The well-known reservation has it's own government, laws, police, and services.

The Wampanoags that are most recognized by Rhode Islanders and tied to Rhode Island are the Mashpee Wampanoags because this is the tribe that had a presence in the East Bay area of Rhode Island.  Metacomet/King Philip was one of their sachems (chiefs) whose home was primarily in Bristol.  They are now known as the "Praying Indians" because of their conversion to Christianity and their absolute religious tolerance.

With the Wampanoag centers and primary lands being in Massachusetts, there is little influence of the tribe in Rhode Island, although a number of members do reside in the state.  The real "tie" lies in the history of the state when Metacomet and his village were located here, when the Wampanoags allied with Canonchet and his Narragansetts, and when the two tribes fought King Philip's War here on Rhode Island soil.  Memories of Metacomet/King Philip are noted in the town of Bristol, formerly and also known as Mt. Hope.

This outcropping of rock is called King Philip's Seat because it was known to be where he would sit to observe the area surrounding him and to think.  Meetings were also conducted here.

This marks the spot where Metacomet/King Philip was shot and beheaded.

Aside from sites and markers like this, the "feeling" of the Wampanoag Indian influence in the state is found in the many street signs and businesses boasting names that reflect individuals and/or terms in the Wampanoag language.