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Native American Tribes of Massachusetts

Did you know the name "Massachusetts" is an Algonquian Indian word? It comes from the Wampanoag word Massachuset, which means "by the range of hills." The Wampanoag Indians were not the only native people of this region, however.

The original inhabitants of the area that is now Massachusetts included:

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The Wampanoag tribes (including the Massachusett, Nauset,

Pennacook, Pokanoket, and Pocasset)

The Mohegan tribe (including the Nipmuc and Pequot)

The Mohican tribe (including the Pocumtuc)

See also our new Wampanoag, Mohegan, Nipmuc, Pequot, and Mohican Facts for Kids pages!

Federally recognized Indian tribes in Massachusetts today include:

1 Wampanoag Tribe:
State Road
Gay Head, MA 02535
http://www.wampanoagtribe.net/

Other Indian tribes, bands and communities remaining in Massachusetts today include:

Chappaquiddick Tribe of the Wampanoag Indian Nation
232 North Main St
Andover, MA 01810
http://www.chappaquiddick-wampanoag.org

Chappiquiddic Band of Massachuset
P.O. Box 3931
Pocasset, MA 02559
http://chappiquiddic.org/

Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People:
PO Box 554
Franklin, MA 02038
http://www.cowasuck.org/

Hassanamisco Nipmuc Tribe:
Hassanamisco Reservation
Grafton, MA 01519

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe:
P. O. Box 1048
Mashpee, MA 02649
http://mashpeewampanoagtribe.com/

Other resources about American Indian history, culture and society in Massachusetts state:

Indian Tribes of Massachusetts: Information on several different Wampanoag subdivisions and their locations.

Recommended books about Massachusetts Native Americans:

Massachusetts Indians: Introducing Massachusetts' Native American history and culture to kids.

Massachusetts Indian Dictionary: Fact book on the Indians of Massachusetts state.

Clambake: A Wampanoag Tradition: A wonderful picture book about a contemporary Massachusetts Indian boy.

Children of the Morning Light: Lovely collection of Massachusetts Indian legends.

King Philip's War: History of the English-Wampanoag war in colonial Massachusetts.

Native American Place Names of Massachusetts: The native etymology of present-day place-names in Massachusetts.

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