Piscataway-Conoy Tribe of Maryland facts for kids

The Piscataway Conoy Tribe of Maryland is a group of Native American people. The state of Maryland officially recognizes them. They are descendants of the historic Piscataway people.

The Tribe's History

Before Europeans arrived, the Piscataway Conoy Tribe was part of a group of tribes. These tribes lived in the areas between the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River. Their traditional lands included parts of what are now Charles, Prince George's, St. Mary's, and Baltimore counties. It also included the lower parts of the Appalachian Mountains.

The Piscataway-Conoy people were among the first Native Americans to meet European settlers. As more settlers moved in, a treaty was signed in 1666. This agreement was between the tribal leaders and Lord Baltimore. It led to the creation of a special area called Piscataway Manor for the tribe. During this time, many Piscataway people became Catholic.

To avoid problems with the settlers, some Piscataway moved. They went to settlements along the Susquehanna River in Virginia and Pennsylvania. There, the Iroquois people gave them the name 'Conoy'. In 1974, Turkey Tayac, a Piscataway leader, started a non-profit group. It was called the "Piscataway-Conoy Indians."

Becoming Recognized: 20th and 21st Centuries

In 1995, the Piscataway Conoy Tribe began asking for official state recognition. This meant they wanted the state of Maryland to formally acknowledge them as a tribe.

On January 9, 2012, the Governor of Maryland, Martin O'Malley, officially recognized the Piscataway Conoy Tribe. The Piscataway Indian Nation was also recognized at this time. This official order gave them "Maryland Indian status." However, it did not give them new rights to land or to open casinos. As part of the agreement for state recognition, the Piscataway Conoy Tribe promised not to open casinos.

In 2021, St. Mary's College of Maryland started an effort to honor the land where the college is built. They recognized it as the historic home of the Yacocomico and Piscataway Peoples. In November 2021, the University of Maryland announced a new dining hall name. It was named Yahentamitsi to honor the state’s Piscataway Conoy Tribe.

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