Nipmuc Nation facts for kids

The Nipmuc Nation is a group of Indigenous people of the Northeastern Woodlands based in South Grafton, Massachusetts. They are officially recognized by the state of Massachusetts as the Hassanamisco Nipmuc tribe.

The Nipmuc Nation once worked closely with the Chaubunagungamaug Nipmuck people. Many of the group's more than 500 members live near the Chaubunagungamaug Reservation, Hassanamisco Reservation, and the city of Worcester. Cheryll Toney Holley was elected as the chief of the Nipmuc Nation in 2013. She later stepped down from her role.

In 2004, the United States government's Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) reviewed the Nipmuc Nation's request to be a federally recognized tribe. The BIA decided that the group did not meet some of the important requirements for this special status.

About the Nipmuc Nation

The Nipmuc people have a long history in what is now Massachusetts. They are part of the larger group of Indigenous peoples who have lived in the Northeastern Woodlands for thousands of years. Being a state-recognized tribe means that the state of Massachusetts officially acknowledges their existence and their unique cultural heritage.

Working as a Nonprofit Organization

In 1998, the Nipmuc Nation created a special organization called the Nipmuc Nation Tribal Council, Inc.. This is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means it works for public benefit and does not aim to make a profit. It is based in South Grafton, Massachusetts. This organization helps the Nipmuc Nation manage its activities and support its community.

Seeking Federal Recognition

The Nipmuc Nation applied to the United States government to become a federally recognized tribe. Federal recognition is a special legal status. It means the tribe has a government-to-government relationship with the U.S. government. This status can provide certain benefits and protections. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is the part of the government that reviews these applications.

Why Federal Recognition Was Not Granted

The BIA carefully reviewed the Nipmuc Nation's history and community. Their findings were based on official government reports from 2001 and 2004. The BIA found that the Nipmuc Nation did not meet four out of seven required criteria for federal recognition.

Here are some of the reasons why the BIA did not grant federal recognition:

• Land Ownership Changes: In the 1700s, much of the Hassanamisco Reservation land was sold. The remaining land was divided among specific families, not kept as common tribal property.
• Changes in State Relationship: In 1869, Massachusetts passed a law that changed its official relationship with the historical Hassanamisco Indians. This law temporarily ended the state's direct supervision over them.
• Continuous Identification: The BIA found that the group was not identified as an American Indian entity in a continuous way from 1900 to 1979. There was a period where official records did not clearly show a broad Nipmuc entity.
• Distinct Community: The BIA also looked at whether the group had always been a distinct community. They found that from the late 1700s to the mid-1900s, the community was limited to some Hassanamisco families. It was not clearly proven that a wider community of Nipmuc descendants formed a distinct group during certain periods.
• Ancestry of Members: At the time of the application, the Nipmuc Nation had 526 members. The BIA determined that only a small percentage of these members descended directly from the historical Hassanamisco Indians. Most members had ancestry from other Nipmuc families or other Indigenous groups.
• Political Influence: The government was not convinced that the Nipmuc Nation had continuously held political influence over its members as an independent group throughout history.

Despite not receiving federal recognition, the Nipmuc Nation continues its work to preserve their culture and support their community.

See also

• Native American tribes in Massachusetts