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Native American tribes in Massachusetts

Native American tribes in Massachusetts are the Native American tribes and their reservations that existed historically and those that still exist today in what is now the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A Narragansett term for this region is Ninnimissinuok.

Federally recognized tribes

Massachusetts has two federally recognized tribes. They have met the seven criteria of an American Indian tribe: being an American Indian entity since at least 1900, a predominant part of the group forms a distinct community and has done so throughout history into the present; holding political influence over its members, having governing documents including membership criteria, members having ancestral descent from historic American Indian tribes, not being members of other existing federally recognized tribes, and not being previously terminated by the U.S. Congress.

State-recognized tribes

State-recognized tribes do not have government-to-government relationships with the United States federal government, but they do have a relationship with the state. Massachusetts has two state-recognized tribes, acknowledged through executive orders by governors.

American Indian reservations

These are two federal Indian Reservations in Massachusetts.

There are also two historical state reservations connected to the Nipmuc people.

Historical tribes of Massachusetts

These are some of the tribes that have existed in what is now Massachusetts. Most no longer exist as functioning American Indian tribes within the state; however, some are tribes in other states or in Canada.

  • Mahican tribe, from New York but some migrated to Massachusetts in the late 17th century
*Wiekagjoc
*Mechkentowoon
*Wyachtonoc
*Westenhuck (Stockbridge), descendants are members of the Stockbridge–Munsee Community in Wisconsin
*Nauset tribe, also known as Cape Indians, Cape Cod
*Hassanamisco Nipmuc, state-recognized tribe represents them today
*Monashackotoog, historic band
*Wunnashowatuckoog, Worcester County, historic band
*Agawam
*Nashua
*Naumkeag
*Pawtucket, merged into the Pennacook
*Pentucket
*Wachuset
*Wamesit
*Weshacum
* Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, state-recognized tribe
* Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, federally recognized tribe
* Patuxet, Plymouth, historic band
* Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), federally recognized tribe

Cultural heritage groups

More than 20 organizations claim to represent historic tribes within Massachusetts; however, these groups are unrecognized, meaning they do not meet the minimum criteria of a federally recognized tribe or a state-recognized tribe.

See also

References