Nipmuc? - Homestead

MPMUCSPOHKE
WIPMUC PEOPLE EVERYWHERE
A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE NIPMUC NATION
Suiter
Vol.
11
Issue
I
1995
Nipmucs Move Ahead In Fed Rec Process
After years of limping along, the
Nipmuc Nation has finally sprung
ahead in its quest
for federal
recognition.
On Dec 29, 1994, the Nipmucs'
petition was considered "complete and
ready for active status," according
to Kay Davis, assistant researcher
for the Branch of Acknowledgement and
Recognition
(BAR). The BAR is a
branch of the Bureau of Indian
Affairs (BIA).
This change was
prompted by the responses from the
Nipmuc Nation to BAR letters of
Obvious Deficiency to the petition,
she said.
Letters of "Obvious Deficiency" or
"ODs" are notifications from BAR
ths prelicinary
phases
that
indicate
further
information is required in certain
areas,
The Nipnuc petition saw ODs in some
political,
social
and
historical
areas,
according to a 1985 letter
from Hazel Elbert, a deputy director
for the Office of Indian Services, to
Walter
Vickers,
chief
of
the
Hassanamisco Band.
The responses to the ODs were
submitted by a temporary group of
Nipmucs attempting
to act as a
"vehicle"
to
move
the
petition
process ahead, according to Little
Crow Ron Henries, a Nipmuc spiritual
leader from Providence RI .
Last
autumn,
members
of
the
Hassanamisco
Band,
the
Chaubunagungamaug
Band
and
the
defunct Nipmuc Tribal Acknowledgment
Project (NTAP) joined together to
restart the stalled petition process.
The group, comprised of 5 members
of
each
of
the
aforementioned
factions, was formed with the intent
to serve as "a vehicle to start the
federal recognition process again
*ith some kind of harmony," Little
Croi- said.
"The group is only a temporary
acting committee," he stated, noting
that it will be subject to election
by the members of the Nipmuc Nation
should the group reach a governing
i
level.
"The government (U.S.) will make
sure of that (an election).
Right
now it is has been formulated as a
target group with the attempt to
organize," Little Crow said.
Although
the
ODs
have
been
answered, the members of the group
are appealing to Nipmucs everywhere
to
search
through
their family
histories and share whatever stories,
photos, newsclippings, etc. that they
may have.
"Whatever info is out
there we need not.,"
Little Crow
stressed.
It
should
be
noted
that
the
artifacts, clippings and photos are
documented for the petition, not kept
share their histories without losing
them.
The move to "complete and ready"
status placed the nation as sixth on
a
waiting
list
for
active
consideration, the next and final
phase of the process.
However
several
conditions affecting
the
other waiting tribes have moved the
Nipmucs' status up to number two.
The Nipmuc Nation could be at the
Active Consideration stage in as few
as two weeks. "I guess you could say
you've 'gone into labor'," Davis said
of the tribe.
After
the active
consideration
phase begins, a final decision is
rendered
in one
year,
although
extensions can lengthen the process
to almost 23 months. As to what the
process involves, Davis advised that
the
petition
will
be
carefully
analyzed
by
a BAR
genealogist,
historian and anthropologist.
The
evaluation will include a visit from
the BAR.
"You can expect a visit
from us," Davis said, noting that
tribes are subject to a week long
visit, but they are given prior
notice.
Little Crow feels that Nipmucs
interviewed by the BAR "will play a
significant role" in the process.
In addition to randomly chosen
tribal
members
being
visited,
interviews are conducted with nonnatives.
"We will talk with the
mayor, firemen, librarians and others
to see if they are aware of the
Kipauc people. Are they aware of you
as a group, a nation?" she asked.
During the visit, the BAR will also
sort through records of the tribe.
Chief Wise Owl Edwin Morse, Chief
Natachaman Walt Vickers and the
former
NTAP
have
agreed
to
consolidate their information bases
to
present
the
most
reliable
information source.
Davis commented that the group of
Nipmucs working with the BAR on the
petition are working well together.
"The lines of communication are very
good. We are in touch often.
Both
Vickers and Morse are very good," she
added.
V'ickers feels the same benevolent
atmosphere between the group and the
BAR: "Davis is an asset to Us and to
our goals.
The BIA is not out to
'crucify' us," he said.
He also commented on the future of
the Bands, adding that while the
Nation is universal, the Bands will
still operate within the Nation. He
adds that past differences between
himself as chief of the Hassanamisco
Band and the Chaubunagungamaug Band's
Chief Wise Owl were the result of
outside interferences.
"We have no
hard feelings between us....if they
would let us work, it would be fine,"
Vickers said.
Davis added that although
this
group is working with the actual
petition, Nipmucs everywhere have a
role in this process.
"Fine tune
your tribe now.
It is important to
tell the Nipmuc people — if either
one of those leaders ask you to do
something for this — do it," she
stressed.
While things may seen
repetitive or senseless, every little
piece is significant.
After
the active
consideration
process,
a
proposed
finding
is
delivered where legal arguments are
reviewed and further evidence can be
submitted if necessary.
A final
(see Fed Rec)
WHAT'S
HAPPENING
June 23-25
July 1
July 30
Sept 9-10
Oct. 14
Dec. 2
Spiritual gathering of the Nipmuc Nation — Sterling Springs
Campground, Sterling MA. See back cover for info.
Chaubunagungamaug Council — Strawberry Moon Festival & Pot luck
For information, see May 13
Hassanamisco reservation: Annual Native American Fair & POWHOW
Hassanamisco res., 80 Brigham Hill Rd., Grafton MA
For informattion, call (508)393-2080
Chaubunagungamaug Council — 15th Annual Nipmuc Powwow
Greenbriar Park, Rt. 12 Oxford MA
For information, call (508)865-9828
Chaubunagungamaug Council — Harvest Moon Festival & Pot luck
For information, see May 13
Chaubunagungamaug Council: Nlkkomo Festival
United Church of Christ, Main St., Webster MA
For information, call: (508) 943-4569
Fed Rec
determination
is
drafted
and
undergoes in-house review. The f i n a l
determination is then completed and
routed for approval.
The process
takes roughly 60 days.
Should the
decision deny federal recognition, a
request
or
reconsideration
is
possible,
and
in
some
cases,
litigation.
What are the N j p m u c s ' chances for
federal recognition"
Of the 156
groups who have applied (10 in 1995
alone), "1 in 3 get acknowledgment."
Davis said. "Whether the decision is
pro or con, you w i l l still have a
cohesive group — Nipmucs who work
together," she said.
There is a positive f e e l i n g among
many, and more Njpmucs are becoming
involved
in
tribal
activities.
Public awareness is vital in the
process, she said. The nation needs
to be aware of itself as much as nonnatives need to be aware of the
N i p m u c Nation.
While some see the BAP. as a looming
negative e n t i t y , Davis views her job
in a positive l i g h t . "Ke are here to
recognize,
rather
than
not
recognize," she said. Davis, native
herself, is fond of her work with
people, not just paper.
"Usually, we f a l l in love w i t h the
people w i t h whoit we work. When i t ' s
negative (the d e c i s i o n ) , we cry w i t h
them, and when it's positive, we cry
w i t h them too," she said.
"No one can take away Indianness.
T h a t ' s inside y o u r s e l f , " she added.
Little Crow, Morse and Vickers are
appealling to all Nipmucs to now
register K i t h one of the Bands as
eoon ae possible.
The fate of the N a t i o n now lies
w i t h i n itself as it bears witness to
the B I A .
Please contact one of the c h i e f s
below i m m e d i a t e l y if you have not
already done so.
C h i e f Natachaman W a l t V i c k e r s
2 L o n g f e l l o w Road
N o r t h b o r o MA
C h i e f W i s e Ow] E d w i n Morse
280 Keys Road RFP
W B r o o k - f i e l d MA 0]585
Hipmucspohke ia a q u a r t e r l y n a t i o n a l
newsletter of the Nipnuc N a t i o n .
It
is p u b l i s h e d by the o r g a n i z a t i o n ,
Vipmucspohke,
Inc.,
based
in
New
Jersey.
Founded i n J a n u a r y , 1 9 9 4 ,
t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n opens i t s m e m b e r s h i p
to all
Nipmucs. their f a m i l i e s and
friends of the Nipmuc N a t i o n .
In
addition to providing the n e w s l e t t e r ,
its
goals are to aid in restoring
c u l t u r a l t r a d i t i o n s and to promote
better public awareness of n a t i v e
people
in
general.
For
Bore
i n f o r m a t i o n regarding Nipaucspohke,
I n c . , contact:
NIPMUCSPOHKE, INC.
P . O . Box 5292
Branchburg NJ 0 8 S 7 6
All
written
works
submitted
for
publication are subject to e d i t i n g
unless
so
specified
by
the
contributor.
E d i t i n g i s done s o l e l y
for the purpose of improved c l a r i t y
and/or
space
limitations.
Your
understanding
is
appreciated.
Cheryl Hagos, editor
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
Nipaucspohke comes from the union of
two words in our native language, and
represents the idea of Nipauc People
Everywhere, "Nipauc" means Freshwater
People.
"Quinnepohke" translates to
"about the land", or "everywhere. "
A few years ago, Grandfather Brown,
who knew our language best, related
this word "Nipmucspohke" to us, to
designate Nipmucs Everywhere.
The U.S.S. Nipmuc?
"Hey Mom, does this say t/SS Nipmuc-r
he asked. Mom smiled.
Yes,Nicholas, there is a USS Nipmuc.
The discovery came during a recent visit to
his school library. While choosing a book for
a reading assignment, Nick Magos, age 7,
came upon the ship in The Book of U.S. Navy
Ships by Rear Admiral M.D. Van Orden.
Commissioned 8 July 1945. the Nipmuc
(ATF-157) began an illustrious career as a
naval fleet tug. The vessel, built by the
Charleston (SC) Shipbuilding and Drydock
Co. in 1944, was sponsored by Mrs. James O.
Freeman. Lt. Robert G. Hoffman served as
Nipmuc's first commander.
According to Cherie Watson, research
secretary' at the Naval Historical Center's
ships' history branch, Freeman was chosen to
sponsor the ship because she had 6 sons in
the Armed Forces. It does not appear that
Freeman was a Nipmuc, however.
Watson noted that the "responsible party for
naming ships was the Secretary of the Navy.
In the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting
Ships Voi. V by the Naval Dept., the definition
for the ship name Nipmuc is given as, 'a
southern New England Algonquian tribe,"
Watson said.
David Brown, librarian at the US NavaJ
Library, speculates that "they would pick a
topic out, and 'tribes' were probably one topic.
For instance, some ships were named after
places, some subs were named after fish,
etc.," he said.
The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting
Ships also indicates that Nipmuc was based in
Norfolk and then Newport from 1947 to 1967.
At the time, she assisted ships in the waters
of the Atlantic and Caribbean.
During her 33 years of continuous active
service. Nipmuc performed such tasks as
target towing, underwater repair and salvage,
fircfighting. search and rescue, and
rcfioatation of stranded vessels. According to
declassified US Navy records, she acted on
orders to report to Cape Kennedy in 1965 to
assist with the Gemini GT-3 spaceshot.
Chosen for the lift capabilities of her 10-ton
boom, she helped in the Gemini capsule
recovery. Once again the following year,
Nipmuc's complement of divers participated in
underwater recovery for the Gemini 1 1
spaceshot.
For a 5-month period of 1967, the vessel
served as part of the 6th Fleet in the
Mediterranean Sea. Other especially notable
assignments included her function in May
1976 as plane/lifeguard destroyer to the USS
Nimitz whenever one was unavailable. Also,
Nipmuc assisted carrier L/SS Intrepid who was
aground in Narragansett Bay in 1969.
Some of the ports that Nipmuc saw included
Spain, Greece, Italy, France, Germany,
Netherlands, Scotland, England, Ireland,
Cuba, New Foundland and all over the US.
Although she was a fleet tug, Nipmuc carried
quite a reputation within Navy circles and her
crew was dubbed the "Masters of Emergency."
In 1970, they received the Engineering
Excellency Award, and in 1974, the British
crew of H.M.S. Adromeda was so impressed
with the Nipmuc that they were willing to swap
for anything aboard Nipmuc "that wasn't tied
down," Navy records indicated.
"...Nipmuc's accomplishments contributed
significantly to the strength and preparedness
of the Navy," it stated.
After a remarkable career of service, she was
declared unfit for further service because of
the cost of modernization, according to Navy
records. She finished her final towing
assignment and returned home for the last
time on 26 May 1978.
After being decommissioned on 1 Sep 1978,
Nipmuc was immediately recommissioned in
the Venezuelan navy. Hopefully she will
continue in the traditional legacy as the
"Master of Emergency," Navy records reported.
The present whereabouts of Nipmuc are
unknown.
Yes, Nicholas, there is a f/SS Nipmuc!
Thanks to Nicholas Magos, a 7-yr.-old Nipmuc
living in Branchburg NJ for the tip.
For further information regarding t/SS
Nipmuc, contact:
Nipmucspohke
Box 5292
Branchburg NJ 08876
(HTF-157: O.I,330; 1 205';
b. 3 8 ' 6 ' ; tr. 1 6 ' 9 ' ; s. 16 k;
c p l . 65; j. 1 3 ' ; c l .
Photo courtesy of US Navy Archives
1550 - Nearly 3,000 Nipmucs occupy about 39 'bands' or villages in Nipnet,
encompassing 2,500 square wiles of central MA, northern CT & northern RI
1620 - English colonists arrive in MA
1621 - Colonists persuade Sachem Nashawonan & 8 other leaders to deem
themselves loyal servants of King James of England at Sterling MA
1630 - Acquittimaug & his son of Wabaquasset carry corn to the starving
colonists at Boston
1643 - Nipmuc leaders sign agreement with the English to obey English law in
exchange for the same protection under the law accorded English citizens
1650 - Some Nipmuc and members of other tribes converted by John Eliot begin
moving into Natick forming the 1st permanent Praying Twon of the Christianized
Bay State Indians
1652 - John Eliot journeys into Nipnet 60 miles into Nipmuc country as far as
the Quinebaug River & he claims his salvation message was well received
1654 - Hassanamesit, the Place of Small Stones, organizes into a Praying Tom
along with 3 other sites
1660 - Nipmucs from present day Grafton, Auburn, Millbury, Mendon, Sutton,
Upton & Hopkington areas begin residing on 10,000 acres set aside for them
(Eliot's estimate); some Nipmucs are christianized while other Nipmucs have not
accepted the new faith
(To be continued in upcoming issues)
NIPHUCSPOHKE wou1d like to thank Peter Heaney of the New England Native American
Institute for sharing the information for Looking Back.
A LITTLE BIT OF NIPMUC
Some Nipmuck Villages and Territorial Designations*
Chaubunagungamaug - Webster/Dudley
Manchaug - Sutton
Mokunkokoag - Hopkington
Mokamesit - Marlborough
Wamesit - Lowell
Natick -- Natick
Nashoba - Littleton
Keekamoocnaug - Dudley area
Snokologue - Douglas/Uxbridge
Hassanamesit - Grafton
Maanexit - Woodstock/Quinnebaug
Waentug - uxbridge
Quantisset - Thompson
Wabaquasset •- ThompsonAVoodstock
Quaboag - Brookfield
Pakachoog - Worcester
Nash away - Lancaster
Punkapoag -- Canton
Pachaug - Auburn
Thanks to Loving One, Clan Mother
Chaubunagungamaug Band
POW
Saturday
& Sunday
Sept. 9
& Sept. 10
WOW
Greenbriar Park
Route 12
Oxford, MA
We welcome
everyone to our
ceremonial
festivities
Traders pre-registration please call Loving One 508-865-9823
Wedding & Naming Ceremonies * Authentic chanting &
dancing * Traditional & Contemporary Foods
Indian Crafts & Souvenir Items * Door prize drawing
DONATION: ADULTS 99c, UNDER 12 50c
Proceeds benefit charitable, cultural and Educational Projects
For more information call 508-S65-9S2S
From the north: 290 to 395 South, Exit at X. Oxford, 12 S
From the south: 395 N to Oxford exit, 12 N to Pow WowGrounds open to the public 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Dealers & Exhibitors selling stands - no drugs or aicohoi allowed
Please help us keep the pow wow grounds litter free
Thanks to the Mental Health
Association, a voluntary,
charitable organization Kith
members across the US and Canada,
Taubot ne,
WORDS THAT DISCOURAGE
"You can't do anything right."
"I'm ready to give up on you."
"Look at all those mistakes."
"That's a good paper, BUT..."
"You are so clumsy."
"Here, let me do that for you."
"John can do it, why can't you?"
"No, do K this way, stupid."
"I've explained that a thousand times."
"When are you going to grow up?"
"Why don't you ever listen?"
"I told you this would happen."
"I knew you couldn't do ft."
"I won't love you."
"Why are you always a slow-poke?"
"You have rocks in your head."
"You are a hopeless case."
"Boys don't cry."
"Your brother/sister always makes good grades."
Family
WORDS THAT ENCOURAGE
"Thanks so very much.'
"Everybody makes mistakes."
"You are improving.'
"Failure is no crime."
"I like the way you are listening.'
"Mistakes do happen."
appreciate your considerate behavior.'
"You try it."
"That is very nice work."
"That is really great."
"Keep up the good work."
"It's so nice to know someone like you.
"Your work is really improving."
"I'm so proud to be your teacher."
"You are the kind who could do ft.'
"I'm glad you decided to try that.1
"Thanks so very much.
"What a neat idea.
"You can do it.
"I know, it's very hard.
"Your help is really needed."
"That's an excellent idea.
"Your printing is very pretty."
"Good work. . .Nice going.
"Hard work does get results."
"What a nice smile you have.
feel so good inside when you work so nicely."
NIPMUCSPOHKE wishes to extend Its gratitude to Everett Brown, Wayne Wiedemer,
Kitt Little Turtle, Bright Sky, Star Corliss, Peter Heaney, Bob Stedtler, Eagle
Sun, Nicky Magos and Patricia Brown Brygier for their support. Without their
efforts, talents and generosity, you would not be holding this issue. TAUBOTNE!
PURELY AH
OBJECTIUE
VIEW
TO ALL MY NIPMUC RELATIONS
A Spring Season Greeting
Eagle Strong Sun Heart would
speak....
After a 40 year medicine odyssey,
living in all four directions of this
country, I am now living in "Pequot
Nat ion-1 and," in the service of their
tribe as Director of Mental Health.
Many of you knew of my desire to
return to the Land of my birth and I
prayed long and loud, and willed
every moment of my existence for the
Creator to guide me to a higher
spiritual calling here in the East.
W e l l , that "higher spiritual calling"
was given, and I would personally
like to say "Kuttabotomish, I thank
you," to the Pequot Nation People for
having given me the opportunity to
serve them in this position of
responsibi1ity.
It is also a great responsibility
to work toward the enduring survival
of our culture. As you all know and
can attest to, our ancient relations
were the most devastated of all the
tribes in this country.
Our
spiritual way of existence was nearly
extinguished from their lives, the
language nearly erased from use and
they were treated as savages and
slaves. In alot of people's minds,
we are still treated that way.
The attitudinal awarenesses that
run our lives, the false belief
systems that were jammed down our
throats,
and
the
illusionary
projections that were shown as the
way to survive now flounder without
the spiritual supports that were once
the complete holistic basis for our
ancestors' lives.
And now the Nipmuc People of this
day and age are faced with the same
choice that all racial cultures of
this land are faced with...the
Seventh Fire Prophecy of our ancient
relations is at hand. We have come
to the fork in the road. The road to
the
right
leads to material
acquisitions,
affluence
and
technological infusion. The road to
the left to our spiritual reemergence
with the Great Mystery Creator
controls that which is radiated and
beamed from the core fires of our
hearts....
And the Heart is the place where
al1 Healing begins....
It's the right moment for all of
us to come together, not work in
separate factions. There is a power
in numbers. The dominant culture's
manifest destiny was always to divide
and conquer.... We must come together
as One wills us to come together.
Without a collective people unified
as one there is no tribe, no matter
what the spoken rhetoric may be.
Apart, we are separate units
identifying with an ancient name but
not living the way of life that truly
determines whether you are really
native—indigenous American or not.
All my medicine teachers from each
of the Four directions were in unity
as one: It's not your blood quantum
that determines your nativeness, but
now you live your life.
We have our Celebration of the Sun
Spiritual gathering on June 23-25 at
Sterling Springs Campground in
Sterling MA. We are asking that all
Nipmucs be in attendance. If we are
to be federally recognized, then let
us control our destiny, and make the
right collective choices that w i l l
guarantee that it happens. EITHER WE
DO OR WE DON'T!
This must be a
collective effort of the People for
it to happen!
HO.
Womsikuk, Menuhki Nepauz Othai
Eagle Strong Sun Heart
Eagle
Strong
Sun
Heart,
a
Nipmuc spiritual leader, has studied
the
principles
of
the Hiaewivin
medicine
society
and has practiced
ceremony
throughout
e
"« United states
and
Canada.
Throughout the yes*
he
invites
tne
Nipmuc community to
he Ip keep ceremony
and
ritua 1
alive
and vital among the
Nipmuc people.
As
an
educator
and
counselor,
Eagle
has done extensive
work
in
native
communities
with
alcohol and drug rehabilitation and
in the Taos Pueblos. He is currently
the Director of Mental Health for the
Mashantucket Pequot Nation in CT.
(about 125 Nipmucs)
h'e are making every effort to reach all of you. However, not all of our
sources for addresses have been correct or many of you have moved. The postal
service Kill forward your mail to your nev address for only one year. Please
notify us if you move. If your last name appears here, there is someone in vou_r
family for hitom *e have no address. Please contact us to see if you can assist
us in including everyone's family. Taubotne.
Adams
Agyemang
Alford
Allen
Almeida
Asscencoa
Baker
Barile
Barry
Bates
Belanger
Bennett
Benoit
Berry
Booker
r
AAAA
Black
Boddie
Boucher
Brown
Bowles
Boyd
Brewster
Bryden
Buckley
Bullard
Burbo
Carey
Calabrese
Carlos
Chester
Churchl11
Clarke
Clash
Cottle
Cox
Crayton
Crump
Cruz
Daly
Davenport
Dav i s
Deneault
Dorus
Dunn
Edwards
Figeroa
Flu
Fowelston
Gallant
Garrett
Geary
Gould
Grant
Hamner
Hanlon
Hawkins
Hazard
Hazzard
Ramsey
Revalion
Richardson
Ricki
Roberson
Robioux
Rose
Ross
Rowlett
Roy
Henries
Hewett
Hickey
Hopewell
Irvine
Jackson
Jacobs
Johnson
Jones
Kersey
Klash
Kumah
Labelle
Laflamme
Lafleche
Lane
Lapensee
Santana
Savoie
Saviuolo
Scott
Shepard
Silva
Simmons
S-nall
Smith
SpelIman
Strong
Sullivan
Swentickus
Tatum
Taylor
Thompson
Toney
Leduke
Leek
Lekas
Lewis
Lindley
Trumble
Vaughan
Ventura
Vickers
Von Sica
Wai re
Walker
Wai lace
Walley
Whitaker
White
Whiting
Wiles
Wi 11iams
Willoughby
WiIson
Wood
Wyatt
Zatorski
Lyon
Martin
Matthews
McClure
Menard
Minton
Morgan
Moton
Newtony
Pelletier
Perkins
Price
Prince
Quarles
•Ra i ne -
GATHERING
EVERYONE IS INVITED AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THIS
GATHERING OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
PLACE: Sterlings Springs
DATE:
June 23, 24, & 25
Campground,
NO TRADERS,
Pratt
Junction/Sterling,
Mass.
NO DRUGS, NO ALCOHOL
Bring camping gear and food — Including a dish or dessert for a pot luck
supper.
For information and directions call:
Cheryl: 908-218-0783
Peter: 508-886-6073