Commentary: Wampanoags helped Pilgrims survive

Friday, February 23, 2007  

"As Governor of the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, I am pleased to congratulate the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe on their recognition as a sovereign Native American nation by the U.S. Interior Department’s Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Nearly 400 years ago, 102 people crowded onto a small merchant vessel called 'Mayflower' and set sail seeking freedom from religious persecution in England. They were humble and deeply spiritual men, women and children. Decades later, they came to be called Pilgrims, a name they never called themselves.

After a perilous ocean journey, they anchored off Cape Cod until they could locate a suitable area to site their colony. While still aboard, 41 of the male passengers signed what came to be called the Mayflower Compact, considered the first document ever to describe a governance by, for and of the people. In late December of 1620, they came ashore at an area first called Plymouth by the explorer, Capt. John Smith.

The Pilgrims, who lost half their number during that first difficult year, probably would not have survived at all if it had not been for the assistance of the Wampanoags, particularly from the great Sachem Massasoit and his interpreter Squanto."

Get the Story:
Wigmore Pierson: Wampanoags helped the Pilgrims survive (The Cohasset Mariner 2/22)

Relevant Documents:
Summary of Acknowledgment Cases | R. Lee Fleming Declaration

Only on Indianz.Com:
Federal Recognition Database V2.0 (May 2005)

Relevant Links:
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe - http://mashpeewampanoagtribe.com

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