Wunnashowatuckoog facts for kids
The Wunnashowatuckoog were an important Native American tribe. They were also known as the Showatucks. This tribe lived in what is now southern Worcester County, Massachusetts. Their name means 'people at the fork of the river'. This tells us they lived near the Blackstone River. They often shared their lands with another tribe called the Monashackotoog.
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Who Were the Wunnashowatuckoog?
The Wunnashowatuckoog were part of the many Native American groups living in Massachusetts long ago. Their name, 'people at the fork of the river', describes their home. This was a place where rivers split or joined, which was often a good spot for living.
Life by the River
Living by the Blackstone River was very important for the Wunnashowatuckoog. Rivers provided water for drinking and farming. They were also great for fishing and traveling by canoe. The land around the river offered resources like plants for food and medicine, and animals for hunting.
Challenges and Journeys
The Wunnashowatuckoog faced many challenges, including conflicts with other tribes. They also had to deal with big changes when European settlers arrived.
Early Conflicts with Neighbors
The Wunnashowatuckoog shared borders with the powerful Narragansett tribe. Sometimes, these tribes were at war. The Narragansetts were very strong, and at times, they had control over the Wunnashowatuckoog. This meant the Narragansetts had more power and influence over them.
A Time of Moving
In 1637, something big happened. The Wunnashowatuckoog offered safety to some members of the Pequot tribe. The Pequots were enemies of other tribes in the area. Because of this act, the Nipmuc tribe forced the Wunnashowatuckoog to leave their homes. They had to travel far away to the land of the Mohawk people.
Returning Home
After some time, in the second half of the 1600s, the Wunnashowatuckoog were able to return to their homeland. By 1675, they found new allies. They were protected by the English settlers. This protection helped them against attacks from other tribes like the Mohegan and Narragansett.
