Massachusetts Indian tribes were known for taking part in the French and Indian Wars. According to records, the majority of the tribes took the side of the French and British settlers during the war that lasted for not less than 75 years. Comprehensive research revealed that Native American tribes in Massachusetts were good in hunting-gathering, farming, fishing, and trapping wild animals. As for the form of shelters, evidence reveals that they were accustomed to building their houses in the form of Wigwams and longhouses. Also, Native tribes of Massachusetts were known to be fluent in both Iroquoian and Algonquian.

By the year 1780s, Massachusetts Indians were already a common view in the area. By that time, these Indian tribes in Massachusetts have already learned how to act like the original tenants of the land. By this time, English has already risen to prominence. With Native American tribes Massachusetts being flexible, they were able to smoothly adapt to the changes that came after all the wars that they have been through. According to history, my 1670, many of the original Native American tribes of Massachusetts were violently driven out of their reservations following the King Phillips War. Not only was the oppression from the foreigners the reason, it was also because the tribes within the area also ended up having their own internal conflicts. Those Massachusetts Native American tribes who did not want to get involved flee. It was then only during the  1780s that they decided to return to the land.

Follows are some of the known Massachusetts Native Americans tribes:

Massachusetts Indian Tribe – Mahican

This tribe was also often referred to as Mohican. This Massachusett tribe was considered to be originally from the Hudson River Valley and Western England. They came into the land of Massachusett because of the conflict that bloomed between the Massachuset tribe and the Mohawks. The name of the tribe was coined from the Algonquin word “Muhhekunneuw” which had the meaning of “people of the waters that are never still.” True to their name, the Massachusetts Indian tribe was in constant moving from location to location.

It was revealed that Native Americans in Massachusetts under the Mahican tribe was known for being effective in hunting and farming crops such as beans, corn, and squash. They were known for being a tribe with strong defense, as evident in their highly fortified living quarters. Also, the Massachusetts Native American tribe has a strong political orientation as evident in their having of a tribal council. During the war between the different foreign nations, the Massachusetts Indian tribe took the side of the English army.

Massachusetts Indian Tribe – Mohegan

The Massachusetts Indian tribe Mohegan was situated on the eastern side of the area. They were given the name which meant “People of the Wolf.” During the arrival of the people from England, there came a point when Mohegan mixed with the Pequot. at around 1643, it was said that the population of the tribe has reached approximately 2,000 o 2,500, this with the Pequots being with them. The union resulted with the Mohegan Indians in Massachusetts taking the lead.After some time, the two tribes eventually separated as the Mohicans Native Americans Massachusetts started craving for independence. However, as time went by, their numbers in Massachusetts diminished as they were forced to move to New York. Some of the famous Mohegan villages that went down in history were Groton, Mohegan, Show ticket, and Wabaquasset. Major areas where they placed their settlements included the Thames River, Cochegan Rock, Fort Shantok, and Mohegan Hill.Through the course of time, there also came a point where the Mohegan started losing its power to the society. They started losing their lands, and even their high status. At around 1978, their then chief Rolling Cloud Hamilton made an appeal to make the tribe recognized federally.

Massachusetts Indian Tribe – Wampanoag

The Massachusetts Indian tribe first came about in the area around the 17th century. The tribe’s name indicated that they were Easterners. The greatest number of population that the tribe arrived into was 12,000. Looking through history, some of the famous Wampanoag Leaders were Squanto, Samoset, Metacomet, and Massasoit. The people of the tribe were known for being hunters-gatherers, although they also did well in the fishing department. Their major languages included Massachusett and Natick. According to many experts, the idea of Thanksgiving originated from this tribe. This tribe of Native American Massachusetts was known for being neutral amidst the King Phillips War. With this disposition, they were rewarded with a land the size of 50 square miles within the Cape Cod area during 1660. 5 years later, they were further given the right of independent government under the court of law. Then, in 1763, they were joined into the Mashpee district.Unfortunately, this integration was put to stop in 1788 because of some inconsistencies in the partnership.