Bella Noka, world champion, Eastern Blanket Dance category, Schemitzun Pow Wow, October 1999 Photo Courtesy Randy R. Nokia
|
The Narragansett Indian Tribe
The Narragansett Indian Tribe has a long
history in Rhode Island, predating the first settlement by
European colonists. As early as 1675, the Narragansett and
Niantic tribes entered into treaties with the United colonies
of Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. In 1709, the
tribal land base was reduced to the Town of Charlestown, Rhode
Island, by deed to the Rhode Island Colony. The tribe
reclaimed part its land as a result of federal legislation,
the Rhode Island Indian Claims Settlement Act, passed
September 30, 1979, and the Narragansett tribe finally
achieved Federal recognition and acknowledgment by a
presidential proclamation issued February 10, 1983. Tribal
membership of more than 2,500 lives on reservation acreage in
Washington County, Rhode Island, and is governed by a Chief
Sachem and a nine-member Tribal Council under the tribe's
traditional, cultural, organic law. Other Narragansett
traditional positions include a sub-chief, war chief, chief
scout, tribal medicine man, historian, and prophet.
Proposed economic development of the tribe centers in
a trading post, commercial pow-wows, a guided tour of tribal
properties, a gaming and entertainment center, forestry projects, a
tribal museum, a library and research center, cable television, and
franchise businesses.
The project is documented with text entitled "The
Narragansett Indian Tribal Profile, 1998," five copies (and
duplicates) of the
Narragansett Indian News, a tribal
newspaper, and a video, "Our Neighbors, The Narragansetts," which
gives insights into the history of the Narragansetts, their
traditions and culture, as well as current problems facing the
tribe.
Originally submitted by: Robert Weygand, Representative (2nd District).
More Local Legacies... |
|
|
The Local Legacies project provides a "snapshot" of American Culture as it was expressed in spring of 2000. Consequently, it is not being updated with new or revised information with the exception of "Related Website" links.
|