Nipmuc Nation facts for kids
The Nipmuc Nation is a group of Nipmuc people, an Indigenous (Native American) tribe from the northeastern United States. They are based in Massachusetts and are recognized by the state.
The Nipmuc Nation is also known as the Chaubunagungamaug Nipmuck. Most of their more than 500 members live near the Chaubunagungamaug Reservation, Hassanamisco Reservation, and the city of Worcester. Cheryll Toney Holley became their chief in 2013.
While the Nipmuc Nation is recognized by the state of Massachusetts, the United States government's Bureau of Indian Affairs decided in 2004 that they did not meet all the requirements to be a federally recognized tribe.
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Who are the Nipmuc People?
The Nipmuc people are an Indigenous group with a long history in what is now central Massachusetts. Their name, "Nipmuc," means "people of the freshwater pond." This shows their strong connection to the many lakes and rivers in their homeland.
Historically, the Nipmuc lived in villages near these water sources. They were skilled hunters, fishers, and farmers. They grew crops like corn, beans, and squash.
The Hassanamisco Nipmuc Tribe
A very important part of the Nipmuc Nation's history comes from the Hassanamisco Nipmuc tribe. This group lived in southeastern Worcester County, Massachusetts. They had a special piece of land known as the Hassanamisco Reservation.
In 1727, most of this reservation land was sold. Only about 500 acres (2 square kilometers) were kept. This remaining land was then divided among seven Hassanamisco families. Each family owned their part individually, rather than the land belonging to the whole tribe.
Changes to Tribal Status
Over time, laws in Massachusetts changed how the state viewed Native American tribes. In 1869, the Massachusetts Enfranchisement Act was passed. This law meant that the state no longer officially recognized the Hassanamisco Indians as a tribe. This period is sometimes called "detribalization." It temporarily ended the state's official relationship with them.
Today, a small part of the original Hassanamisco land still exists. It is about 2.5 acres (10,000 square meters) in the town of Grafton. This land is owned by the Sisco family, who are descendants of the original Hassanamisco families. This area is still known as the "Hassanamisco Reservation."
Becoming a State-Recognized Tribe
For many years, there was no official state recognition for the Nipmuc people. However, things began to change in the late 20th century.
In 1976, the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs (MCIA) was created. This commission helped to build a new relationship between the Nipmuc Nation and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This led to the Nipmuc Nation being recognized by the state.
Federal Recognition Efforts
The Nipmuc Nation has also sought to be recognized by the United States federal government. Federal recognition brings certain benefits and rights to tribes.
In 2004, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) looked at the Nipmuc Nation's request for federal recognition. The BIA has specific rules that a group must meet to be federally recognized. These rules include showing that the group has been identified as an American Indian entity continuously since 1900. They also need to show that a large part of the group has formed a distinct community from historical times until now.
The BIA decided that the Nipmuc Nation did not meet all of these requirements. For example, the BIA found that for many years, there was no state-recognized Nipmuc entity. They also found that only a small percentage of the current Nipmuc Nation members could be directly traced back to the historical Hassanamisco Indians.
Community and Ancestry
The Nipmuc Nation today has 526 members. The BIA's review looked closely at the ancestry of these members.
- About two percent of the members are descendants of the historical Hassanamisco tribe.
- About 53 percent are descendants of six families (Jaha, Humphrey, Belden, Pegan/Wilson, Pegan, Sprague) who were identified as Dudley/Webster Indians in 1861.
- Other members have ancestry from different Indian groups or from individuals identified as "Miscellaneous Indian" in historical reports.
Because of these findings, the Nipmuc Nation remains a state-recognized tribe in Massachusetts. They continue to work to preserve their culture, language, and traditions for future generations.
