United American Indians of New England facts for kids
The United American Indians of New England (UAINE) is a group of Native American people and their supporters. They work to stand up for the rights and history of Indigenous people.
UAINE was started in 1970 by Frank "Wamsutta" James (who was from the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe, 1924-2001). He formed the group after a special event in Massachusetts. The event was meant to celebrate friendship between early European settlers and the Wampanoag people.
Frank James was asked to give a speech at this event. However, when he shared what he planned to say, the organizers thought it was "inappropriate." His speech talked about the difficult ways the Pilgrims had treated the Wampanoag people at Plymouth. The organizers wanted a speech that only showed friendship.
When they gave him a different speech to read, Frank James decided not to go to the celebration. Instead, he chose to protest. He gathered people who supported him and went to Cole's Hill, which overlooks Plymouth Harbor. There, he gave his original speech.
The people who joined Frank James that day became the United American Indians of New England. This group still leads the National Day of Mourning every year. They continue the important work that Frank James began.
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What Does UAINE Do Today?
Today, UAINE is an organization led by Native people and their allies. Their main goal is to fight against unfair treatment of Native people. They also work to correct wrong ideas about the early settlers, often called the "Pilgrim mythology," that are still common in Plymouth.
Fighting for Fairness
UAINE works to support Indigenous communities and their struggles across New England and all of America. They also speak out against the use of racist names and symbols for sports teams. They believe these names are disrespectful to Native cultures.
They also work to help people they believe have been treated unfairly by the justice system. UAINE believes it is their duty to support all people who face challenges. This includes people with disabilities and people from different backgrounds.
Spreading Their Message
To share their message, UAINE members often speak to students at schools and universities. They welcome support from Indigenous people from all parts of the Americas. They also welcome support from people who are not Native American.
How UAINE is Supported
UAINE does not get any money from the government. They rely only on support from others. Any money they receive from speaking engagements goes directly to help their work. No one who works for UAINE is paid a salary.
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