Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe facts for kids
| Named after | Seekonk, Massachusetts (named for a Narragansett sachem), Wampanoag people |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1997 |
| Founded at | Cranston, Rhode Island |
| Dissolved | April 18, 2018 |
| Type | nonprofit organization |
| Legal status | revoked entity (Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe–Wampanoag Nation) |
| Purpose | Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe–Wampanoag Nation: Ethnic/Immigrant Services (P84); Seaconke Wampanoag: A11: Arts, Culture and Humanities Single Organization Support |
| Headquarters | Providence, Rhode Island |
| Location | |
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Official language
|
English |
|
Revenue (2020)
|
$-2,105 |
| Expenses (2020) | $9.281 |
The Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe is a group of people who say they are descendants of the Wampanoag people. They live in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Several groups have formed to represent the Seaconke Wampanoag.
This organization is not officially recognized by the United States government. It is also not recognized by any state government.
Wilfred "Eagle Heart" Greene (1937–2016) was an early leader of this group. He believed he was a descendant of Massasoit, a famous Wampanoag leader from the 1600s. The group also says they are descendants of Annawan, another Wampanoag leader.
Lois "Lulu" Viera Chaffee (1941–2021) was also a founder of the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe. She was from Seekonk.
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What's in a Name?
The name Seaconke can be spelled in different ways. It is the name of a town called Seekonk, Massachusetts. It is also the name of the Seekonk River near Providence, Rhode Island. This name comes from a 17th-century Narragansett leader called a sachem.
The Wampanoag people are a Native American tribe from New England. They speak an Algonquian language.
About the Nonprofit Groups
In 1997, the Seaconke Wampanoag group became a nonprofit organization. This means they are a group that works for a good cause, not to make money. They started in Cranston, Rhode Island.
In 1998, another group called the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe–Wampanoag Nation also became a nonprofit. This group was based in Warwick, Rhode Island. Wilfred Green was involved with this group. Its nonprofit status was later removed in 2012 and again in 2018.
Land Claims
In 2003, Wilfred W. Greene took the state of Rhode Island to court. He claimed a large area of land near the Blackstone River. However, the court case was dismissed.
In 2008, a couple named Patrick and Gail Conley gave 6.7 acres of land to the organization. This land is in Cumberland, Rhode Island.
Trying for Federal Recognition
In 1998, Wilfred Green sent a letter to the government. He wanted the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe to be officially recognized as a Native American tribe by the United States.
However, the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe never finished the full application. So, they were not granted federal recognition.
Trying for State Recognition
In 2022, a bill was introduced in Rhode Island. This bill, called House Bill 7470, would officially recognize the Seaconke Wampanoag tribe in the state.
As of March 2022, the bill is still being studied by a committee.
Activities and Events
The Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe holds a yearly event called a powwow. A powwow is a gathering where Native American people celebrate their culture.
They have been hosting their powwow in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, since 2016.
See also
- List of unrecognized tribes in the United States
