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Northeast Wigwam: The Wampanoag
The Wampanoag, who inhabit the southeastern portion of Massachusetts including Cape Cod, eastern Rhode Island and Martha's Vineyard are the tribe who lived most closely with the Pilgrims when they landed at Plymouth in the early 1600's. They are also the tribe that was most devastated by King Philip's War (1675-76) when their Chief Sachem Pometacomet, or Metacomet, or King Philip, declared war on the colonies.
Today's Wampanoag Indians in Massachusetts can be separated into 5 groups, with the Mashpee Indian Tribe on Cape Cod and the Gay Head Wampanoag's on Martha's Vineyard being the largest groups, followed by the Assonet (from New Bedford to Rehoboth), the Herring Pond (from Wareham to Middleboro), and the Nemasked (Middleboro). Their total population is more than 3,000.
The Gay Head Wampanoags received federal recognition in 1987 with about 300 members living on Martha's Vineyard. They are widely known for their clay pottery and crafts. The Mashpee Wampanoags are recognized by the state of Massachusetts, but are still being refused federal recognition, have the largest number of people with more than 600 members living in Mashpee, Massachusetts, and more than 1,200 members in total.
The Mashpee Wampanoag are widely known for their 4th of July Powwow when Wampanoags and Native Americans from all New England tribes "come home" for the Native American celebration.
--written by Harold and Deborah Champlain, Narragansett
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