Brief History of Aquidneck Island ©1997 Aquidneck Indian Council, Inc., A Public Foundation Preserving the Past 12 Curry Avenue Newport, RI 02840-1412, USA This brochure is a part of the Wampanoag Indian Exhibit, Newport Public Library, Newport, RI, 1 Nov. - 30 Nov., 1997, and is made possible [in part] by a grant from the Rhode Island Committee for the Humanities, a state run program of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of either the Rhode Island Committee for the Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Aquidneck Indian Council, Inc. is solely responsible for its content.C.. English colonists first settled on present-day Aquidneck Island in the year 1638 in the region called by the Indians “Pocasset” (meaning “where the stream widens”), the northern part of Portsmouth, RI. The word “Aquidneck” is from the word aquidnet in the local Indian language, and literally means “floating-mass-at” or simply “at the island”. At one time, what we now call Aquidneck Island was controlled by the Wampanoag Indians, whose leader was the famous Great Sachem or The Massasoit (15802-16627). The Massasoit greeted the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621. We believe that Aquidneck Island was used primarily as a hunting territory although it was probably a summer residence as well. The Wampanoags were decimated by as much as 90% by the epidemics brought to this country by the Europeans in 1617-1619. The Narragansetts, who were unaffected by the diseases, fought for and obtained control of Aquidneck Island and other places. The Wampanoags regained control over their territories. It is recorded that the Narragansett Sachems, Canonicus and his nephew, Miantonomi, signed a “deed” for Aquidneck Island, most likely at the time they were in control of the island. It was stipulated by the English that all the Indians had to be chased off the entire island. Later when some Indians wanted to hunt here, the English had to approve this request in a special meeting of the legislature. The English thought that they were “buying” the land for the money and other things they gave to the Indians. The Indians accepted these things as expressions of friendship and gratitude from the English. The English understood only “private property” whereas the Indians always understood these paper-signing ceremonies as just the way English did things. The Indian was just being friendly and kind by allowing the English to live and plant on their territory. Indians always understood these events to mean that the land still belonged to the Indian but was now being shared with the English. Most non-Indians cannot understand this religious belief (even today). A careful reading of the Records of The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England (Vol. I, 1636-1663) will show a letter written by Roger Williams later in his life in which he attributes the kindness and generosity of the Wampanoag Massasoit Ousa Mequin years before for the gifts of Providence, all of Aquidneck Island, and Wappewassick (Prudence Island). The Massasoit gifted Roger Williams with Aquidneck Island, Providence and Prudence Island for his friendship and love of Indians. The Massasoit received no payment for these lands, and did not want any. Roger Williams said he was indebted to the Wampanoag Sachem until the day he died. Thus, Aquidneck Island may be one of the few places in our country that is truly in keeping with Indian traditions — Mother Earthcannot be bought or sold by anyone because it was created by and belongs to the Creator alone. Contrary to our history books, Indians never sold land, because this concept was totally alien to their religion. NOTE: The word “Massasoit” is not the name of a man. It is a title, like King or President. Massasoit means “great leader”. The famous Massasoit had several names (an Indian custom), but we know him mainly as Ousa Mequin (“Yellow Feather”). In New England we call our leaders Sachem (not Chief). Algonquian Indian Names on Aquidneck Island and Surroundings Name Translation Aquidneck Island “at the island” Jamestown (Canonicut Island) Canonicut is from Quononicut “at the especially long place” (named for famous Narragan- sett Sachem, Canonicus, who died in 1647). Miantanomi (written Famous Narragansett Sachem, Miantunnému by Roger nephew of Canonicus, execu- Williams in 1643) ted by Mohegans in 1643. His name means “he wages war”. Narragansett name of largest southern New England Indian nation in historic times ; the name Narragansett means “at the small narrow point”. Patience Island originally known as Chibacoweda = “separated by a passage” ;i.e., from Prudence Island.cannot be bought or sold by anyone because it was created by and belongs to the Creator alone. Contrary to our history books, Indians never sold land, because this concept was totally alien to their religion. NOTE: The word “Massasoit” is not the name of a man. It is a title, like King or President. Massasoit means “great leader”. The famous Massasoit had several names (an Indian custom), but we know him mainly as Ousa Mequin (“Yellow Feather’). In New England we call our leaders Sachem (not Chief). Algonquian Indian Names on Aquidneck Island and Surroundings Name Aquidneck Island Jamestown (Canonicut Island) Miantanomi (written Miantunnému by Roger Williams in 1643) Narragansett Patience Island Translation “at the island” Canonicut is from Quononicut “at the especially long place” (named for famous Narragan- sett Sachem, Canonicus, who died in 1647). Famous Narragansett Sachem, nephew of Canonicus, execu- ted by Mohegans in 1643. His name means “he wages war”. name of largest southern New England Indian nation in historic times ; the name Narragansett means “at the small narrow point”. originally known as Chibacoweda = “separated by a passage” ;i.e., from Prudence Island.Prudence Island originally known as Wappewassick = “at the narrow straits” Sachuest “Jittle hill at the outlet” Sakonnet “black goose abode” ? Wampanoag name of large Indian nation in southeastern New Eng- land, ruled by the Massa- soit. The name Wampanoag means “people of the first light”. In historic times Wampanoags were called Pokanokets. ‘Wannemetonomy “good mountains (or hills)? Some books say so-named after Tonomy, a lesser Sachem of Aquidneck Island in 1638 Dr. Francis “Moondancer” & Julie “Strong Woman” Jennings. Moondancer is Council President. Strong Woman is Vice President and Project Director of The Massachusett Language Revival Project. The authors are members of the Seaconke Tribe, Wampanoag Nation and The Dighton Intertribal Indian Council. They have co-authored the textbook, Understanding Algonquian Indian Words (New England), 1996. The Aquidneck Indian Council, Inc. is a nonprofit and tax- exempt corporation located in Newport, RI. Our mission is to educate the public about the Indians of Southeastern New England. We provide many community programs through our educational outreach programs in schools, libraries, various agencies of government, religious institutions, the D.A-R.E. program and many others. You can make a tax-deductible contribution to The Aquidneck Indian Council, Inc. Contact us at (401) 849-6555. e-mail: FObrien851@aol.com. @