History

Time Line- Beginning in 1620

1620

The pilgrims land in Plymouth.  The Wampanoag think they are only there to trade and wait for them to leave, like they did in the past.  This time, they do not leave.  Instead they make homes and attempt to build a life in the New World.  Unfortunately the pilgrims don’t know the land very well and spend the winter cold and hungry.  Many people die of disease and mal-nutrition.  After the first winter is over and half of the original pilgrims have died, one of the Wampanoags, Squanto, teaches the pilgrims the ways of the land.  He serves as a guide for the pilgrims for about a  year and half until they’re stable enough to survive on their own.

1621

Massasoit signs a peace treaty with the Wampanoag.  They agree to respect each other and to live in harmony with each other.

This is also the year that the legendary “First Thanksgiving” took place.   After a plentiful harvest, the Wampanoags invited the pilgrims over to join in their harvest feast.  It lasted three days and there was plenty of food and games.  Wild game, corn, beans, squash and wild plants were eaten.

1675

With the death of Massasoit, the peace treaty he signed is no longer honored. His son, Phillip becomes sachem of the Wampanoag.  ”King Phillip,” as he is known, wages war against the  English.  He attempts to push the English “back to sea” in an attempt to defend his people’s land so it can be rightfully used by his people again.  Unfortunately, he loses the battle because he is betrayed by his own people when they reveal his hiding place.  King Phillip is murdered and his family is enslaved.

1675-1763

The Wampanoag and the English do not see eye-to-eye.  The Wampanoag want to keep their traditional land, their traditions and their way of life.  The English want to colonize and make The New World their new home.  Their vision of this new home doesn’t include diversity or Natives and as a result the English- with full permission from the  King of England- slaughter, massacre,  murder, rape and kidnap the natives in an attempt to wipe them out.  

During this time many Wampanoag villages are completely wiped out.   Plymouth villages are almost completely wiped out due to diseased introduced by the colonists and massacre.  On the other side of the spectrum, the Mashpee tribe manages to keep it’s people alive by becoming “Praying Indians.”  That is, in order to stay alive, they’re forced to give up their customs, traditions, spirituality and way of life in favor of Christianity.  An overseer is appointed to the tribe to keep them in line, but many people meet in secret in order to preserve their traditions and way of life.

1763

After almost all of their cultural heritage has been stripped away from them and they’ve been forced off their land and onto reservations, the Massachusetts government finally allows them limited self-governance.  More accurately, the Wampanoag are allowed to do (in a limited way) what they did quite successfully for 12,000 years BEFORE the English came over and decided they were too incompetent to govern themselves.

1790

George Washington signs a Trade and Non-Intercourse Act which requires federal approval for all land transactions.

1833

The Wampanoag protest the destruction of their land during the “Woodland Revolt” or “Woodland Riot.”  The Wampanoag physically stop any non-Indians from coming onto the reservation to chop down trees to sell for wood.  Six Wampanoag unload a  Methodist wagon which triggers the state to retaliate and send soldiers to the reservation.

1834

William Lloyd Garrison pushes the State to allow more self-governance for the Wampanoag.

1861

For the first time the Indians are included in the Massachusetts census.

1870

Two Indian districts, Mashpee and Gayhead are incorporated into towns.

1870-1871

Without the consent of the  Wampanoag people, the town seizes common lands and auctions them off for $7,052.76.

1870-1960

Although they’ve been assimilated into the American culture and forced to give up their way of life, they manage to maintain political control over Mashpee.

1960’s

Due to the incredible waterfront property at Martha’s Vineyard, Mashpee and other Wampanoag areas, developers begin building expensive homes and complexes designed for wealthy Americans.  Because of this shift in demographics, the Wampanoag lose political control of the area.

1974

The Mashpee Wampanoags form Tribal Council Inc.

1975

The Mashpee tribe seeks federal recognition.

1976

The Mashpee Tribe filed suit in Boston District Court for land taken illegally in Mashpee, Sandwich, Falmouth & Barnstable. The suit went far as the White House but failed due to politics and money.

1977

James St. Clair, Esq. rules that the Wampanoag are not a tribe and therefore have no standing in pursuing land suits.  Judge Skinner agrees to a trial. 

2007

After decades of struggles within the legal system, the federal government finally recognizes the Mashpee Wampanoag as tribe.  To some this is a victory because the tribe is now eligible for federal funds and government programs.  Additionally the tribe can now open a casino which is a point of contention among the tribe.  One faction of people believe it’s a great way to raise capitol and revenue for the tribe.  However, others believe that running a casino will lead to greed and coruption and that the tribe should focus on traditional skills rather than build a casino.