MPMUCSPOHKENIPMUC PEOPLE EVERYWHERE

f\ QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER Of Vol.11 issue 3

Federal Recognition: The End Is Near?One way or another, it's almost over. Onlymonths remain before a decision isrendered by the BIA's Bureau ofAcknowledgment and Research (BAR),and for some Nipmucs. the fretting hasbegun: H'ill it be enough''

Families search and research theirgenealogies for extra information and otherhelpful items that document the Nation'stribal continuity BAR researchers poreover the records provided, verifying solidconnections along Nipmuc family lines.Family meetings at the tribal office in

Surton MA have been taking place togather all available informationSome remark thai there is an electricity in

the air everywhere in Nipmuc Country."People are charged up for different

reasons Some are excited that it's almostover and hopefully we'll be recognized atlast," said a Connecticut Nipmuc whoasked not to use her name. "On the otherhand, there are those who are afraid thatthey won't have enough info to be included- they'll be booted oft' the list. They'vebeen Nipmucs all their lives. There'sdefinitely tension," she said "They do it inother tribes - who says we'll be anydifferent1'"Questions are now being raised regarding

members' exclusion from the tribal roll.The concern is if the possibility exists forcertain families or individuals to be takenoff the list after the research is concludedAccording to Kay Da\is, BAR

genealogist assigned to the Nipmucpetitioa the possibility is real. "If you havesomeone who was bom and raised inMontana or North Carolina for instance,

and thai family has been there fargenerations, they may be native American,but they're probably not Nipmuc." shesaidPrimary sources are very important, she. -. establishing your family's ties to the

Nipmuc people Examples of primarysources are birth, death and marriagerecords. Certified copies are required.Those types of sources are preferredbecause they are more accurate thanobituaries or census records, according tocertified genealogist Ray Whitcker. Birth,christening and marriage records arecompleted by the participants, i.e.,mother/father, bride/groom, etc. and aresworn to be accurate. While a deathrecord obviously doesn't have an 'active'participant, it is still completed at the timeof death and sworn. Obituaries, on theother hand, are often inaccurate. Usuallythe deceased's information is provided by afamily member during an intense time ofgrief Whitcker said. As a result, somefacts may be overlooked, incorrect orperhaps the relative stretches the truth a bitin an innocent effort to honor the lost lovedone. It is not sworn or witnessed, butrather third hand information. The oddsare better for census records, howeverWhile they are not considered primarysources by many, the information usuallywas relayed directly to the census taker bythe head of household or spouse through apersona] interview The accuracy of therecord depended on the accuracy of thecensus takerDavis says that she understands the

frustration of many Nipmucs with all of the

recordkeeping. but the BAR is not the onlyinstitution with such requirements "...toregister with almost con' tribe, it is usuallyrequired that you. yourself have done yourfamiK tree and have birth, death, andmarriage records for your ancestors inorder to apply for membership to the tribalroll," Davis said.The BAR staff will be visiting the Nipmuc

Tribal Office in Suttoa MA possibly inJune. The visit will allow them to reviewtribal records to determine if everythingconnects."We should be able to go into the office,

pull a name off the membership list, and theappropriate information has got to be therein the files," she said.Another visit will take place possibly in

late summer or early autumn to interviewsome tribal members as well as non-tribalmembers to see if and how the Nipmucsare viewed as a group.Meanwhile, some Nipmucs are pacing,

nailbiting and overrunning town halls as thewaiting comes to a closeDavis, in a more reassuring tone added,

"Really, the more that you can help yourleaders, the better off you'll be."For questions and information, contact:

Nipmuc Nation Tribal Office156 Worcester-Providence RdSuite 32 Sutton Square MallSuttoa MA 01590

Phone: (508)865^906Fax: (508)865-9988

(See related notice on page 4)

NIPMUCSPOHKE is now online! Email us at: NipmucNews@aol.com

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING.May 11 Chaubunagungamaug Council — Planting Moon Observance, Nipmuck Reservation,

School St., Webster MA 413-436-5596

May 19 NENAI Trip to "Last Lands of the Pegans -Nipmucs" Webster MA. 10AM. Ceremony and historical orientation,508-791-5007

June 1-2

June 21-23

July 6

July 28

Aug. 24

Sept 7 & 8

Oct. 12

Dec. 7

Nipmuc Nation Powwow, location tentatively set as Ft. Devens, MA. Check with Tribal office(508)865-9988

Weekend Summer Solstice Spiritual Gathering. Sterling Springs Campground. Steriing MA508-791-5007

Chaubunagungamaug Council -Strawberry Moon Festival & Potluck Nipmuck Reservation,School St.. Webster MA (508)943-4569

Hassanamisco Reservation - 43rd Annual Native American Fair & Powwow. 80 Brigham HillRd. Grafton MA 508-393-2080

NENA! Native American Style Clambake & Com Roast, Finn Park, Rutland MA508-791-5007

Chaubunagungamaug Council 16th Annual Nipmuck Powwow, Greenbriar Park, Rt. 12Oxford MA 508-865-9828

Chaubunagungamaug Council -- Harvest Moon Festival and Potluck, Nipmuck Reservation,School St., Webster MA(508)943-4569

Chaubunagungamaug Council - Nikkomo Festival, United Church of Christ, Main St.,Webster MA 413-436-5596

LOOKING7676 - The insurrection over, the Praying towns are abandoned, and some Nipmucs are sold as slaves to pay war debt, some are

executed. Some, throughout the conflict, moved deeper into the forest, heading west and north.

1677 - Massachusetts Indians are placed under the supervision of state-appointed guardians: the colonial legislature refuses to allowNipmucs to return to Nipnet The survivors of the war are confined to Punkapoag (Canton), Natick and Wamesit (Lowell). All other"Praying Towns" are dissolved except Hassanamesit. which is allowed to exist but is not occupied.

1681 - Following the war attempt. Nipmucs dispersed and attempt to establish their legal claim to the lands in Nipnet: the GeneralCourt receives a formal petition that reads:

"<l>nhabitants of the towns of Natick, Punkapoag & Wamasitt ...being subject to his Majesty and this Government....having approvedour Selves faithful to ye English in yet late warr and served them most of us as Soldiers... some of ye Relations lost their lives, wedoe hereby...have a natural! right to most of the lands lying in Nipmuck country..."

The General Court appoints a committee to some to terms with the Indians for full surrender of their lands. The greatdiminution of Nipmuc lands begins.

1682 - The land between Natick and Hassanamesit is added to those plantations and promptly sold to the colony. A huge triangle ofland, roughly 1025 sq. miles, was the largest tract of land to be sold. It went to the colony for L50 and a coat, except for 25sq. miles in two parcels: one contained the old village of Maanexit (Webster, Dudley, Thompson,) and the other including theold village of Quinetisset (Thompson, Woodstock area)

Taubotne to~Thpm»-s of the New England Native American Institute for taking time to share this timeline with us.

•TUB BPITOR

OUT ON A LIMB?

If you have climbed your Nipmuc family tree and foundyourself "stuck out on a limb," - don't get out thechainsaw yet! Send your questions to NIPMUCSPOMEand you can search among fellow Nipmucs to see ifanyone has information to share on your relative. Weare all related, and many of us have info on eachother's ancestors. It is time to help oneanother fill inthe blanks. Provide us with the person's name,approximate time of birth/death or marriage, state and,if possible, spouse or parent name. It is also importantto indicate in your letter if you want your addresspublished or if you wish responders to contactNPMUCSPOHKEwho will, in turn, notify you.DAILEY. GRACE EVELYN - (married name Ferber)born in Rl in 1877, mother's name Lucy AnnaDailey born in Smithfield Rl. Seeking any info;contact: Donald Dailey Jr. 5 Cathedral Square #406Providence Rl 02903 (401)453-0677. (Call collect ifnecessary)

VICKERS. SMITH GARRETT -son of ErastusVickers and Abigail Anthony Vickers, born inBurrillville Rl, died 1913 in Douglas MA any availableinfo, please! Contact Little Turtle Everett Jacobs 33Golf St. Newington CT 06111

JOHNSON. JAMES J. - born about 1795, married toLydia Hemenway. James supposedly MontaukIndian. Seeking any info; contact Richard S. Massey6 Hall Rd. Webster MA 01570

VICKERS. SARAH/SALLY - born 1819, dau. ofChristopher Vickers & Mary Curless, marriedPeleg Brown in Webster MA. Seeking any info onSarah, Peleg, or their son Benjamin Brown (born1842) Contact; Cheryl Magos c/o Nipmucspohke,PO Box 5292 Branchburg NJ 08876

(No more than 2 queries per person per issue,please. Space is limited. Taubotne.)

Go figure: We have a Nation frantically rushing in an attempt tobecome federally recognized. Although this struggle began morethan 10 years ago, Nov 94 began the 'last ditch effort.' Ahandful of us are told by this council how important it is tocooperate fully & quickly. However, not one shred of paper hasbeen issued to the entire Nipmuc Nation

At a tribal meeting on May 21, 1994, the former NTAPchairman Jim Lewis told us that lack of funds prevented propercommunication with the Nipmuc Nation & stalled their efforts.Everyone in the room agreed that they felt 'left out' or that theiroffers of help were ignored. "Everything really hinges onmoney-we're right on the doorstep, it's just money," he said.And as we left the meeting, we made donations to cover futurepostage costs. Did you see anything in the mail? I didn't.Let's assume that this council cannot afford the

printing/postage costs to make information available toeveryone. Whatever could they do9

If you want to announce something to the public, don't youusually put it in the paper? Hmmm Chances are, whateverinformation you've received about our status with fedrec camethrough this newsletter. Our circulation is 800- heads ofhousehold - that's probably close to 2,000 Nipmucs. (Did youknow there are that many of us9)

Okay, maybe the council doesn't like the writing style ofNipmucspohke. Maybe they're concerned that we'll 'twist' theirwords 1 thought about all those maybes & decided to makethings simple & easy. I offered to give them as much space asthey wanted - to write whatever they wanted I promised toprint it untouched, unedited - exactly as they wrote it, free ofcharge, no strings. No response

There's a lot of Nipmuc political gabork to wade through thesedays, so one might assume that they don't want to be associatedwith the name Nipmucspohke. Fair enough - so an offer wasmade to send a mailing for them, separate from the newsletter,but based on its mailing list. No response.

They wanted to send their own newsletter, it was said. Again, itwas suggested that we could send an initial mailing for them, toget them started. That was 3 months ago. No response.

All of your letters reflect your great concerns regarding the lackof information from the council. They are genuine concernsYou should be concerned! You should be angry. You should bequestioning the council about its actions, its promises, and itsintentions How many of you know who the council membersare9 Does anyone know if what they're doing will benefit theentire Nation0 No one is saying that what they are doing is rightor wrong, fair or unfair -but who the heck knows? Give us aclue.

Now, some of us will get another frantic request to fill out BIAforms and provide certified documents - within 15 days!Because, as one council member says, 'we have deadlines tomeet We're doing the best we can People just have to spreadthe word. '

Go figure

NOTICE!To those of you who recently received Ancestral History and Individual History forms in themail: It is extremely important that these forms be photocopied & distributed among themembers of your families who are 18 yrs. & older. Complete them as soon as possible, thenreturn them to the tribal office address listed below along with certified copies of the events listed.

No doubt you are fed up with filling out papers about family trees & such. We all are. Unfortunatelythough, some information from the Nipmuc Tribal Acknowledgment Project office was not recoveredwhen the office closed. Time is of the essence - the BIA/BAR is basing our federal recognition on these formsand the choice is yours as to whether or not your family is considered.

Please take the time to complete these papers and return them to the tribal office. Hopefully, in a shorttime, Nipmucs will be hearing from the members of the adhoc council regarding our fedrec status and othertribal business.

Your concerns are understandable and your patience is requested. Please bear with the councilwhile they attempt to facilitate the fedrec process that is suddenly upon our Nation. This is our lastchance, folks! Use it or lose it!

Your cooperation is genuinely appreciated. Please call the tribal office at the number belowwith your questions or concerns, or contact your band chief. Taubotne!

Nipmuc Nation Tribal Office156 Worcester-Providence Road Suite 32SuttonMA0159Q508-865-9800 (phone)508-865-9988 (fax)

WHAT'S JfJ A fiJAMZ?

NlPMUCSPOHKL come* from the union or two worths

in PIT native /angua^e, and represents the it/ea or

Mprr<v£ f^eop/e £verywhere- 'Mp muz" means

freshwater Peep/3' "Qvintiepah/ke" trans/ates to "about

the fanai, or everywhere.

A few years a^o, orant/father &rown, who knew our

t, reMe<^ fhrt wart/ t&pmvtspotii* "to uf. to

A LITTLS SIT OF NIPMUC....

designate MpfnutCf everywhere. U

On the Internet yet? Be sure to check out theHome page for the Nipmuc Indian Associationof Connecticut. Not only can you accessmembership information about NIAC, but you'llalso find various information about Nipmuc nameplaces, history, etc. Definitely worth browsing.NIAC's home page address:

http://www.lib.uconn.edu/NativeTech/Nipmuc/

motherfatherbrothersistersondaughterauntunclegrandmothergrandfather

o kah so/700 S/JO/7wemat-ohweetahtu-ohwu-nauwut-taun-oh, wuttauninokummesnoosussesokummeswuttoochikkinneasin

-As written in Trumbull's Natick Dictionary

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•rWe are making every effort to reach all of you! However, not a/I of our addresses are current. If you move, your mail will be forward

for only one year, & only if you request it. Please send us any changes or corrections to your address. If your last name appears heithere is someone in your family for whom we have no address. Please contact us ASAP to see if you are able to help us find these "loiNipmucs. It is our hope to reach everyone & help our Nation grow.

AdamsAlfordAllenAlmeidaAsscencoaBakerBatesBelangerBennettBenoitBerryBookerBlackBoddieBoucherBrownBowlesBrewsterBrydenBuckley

BullardBurboCareyChesterChurchillClarkeCottleCoxCraytonCrumpCruzDalyDavisDeneaultDorusDunnEdwardsFigueroaFluGallant

GarrettGearyGonzalezGouldGrantHamnerHarmonHazardHazzardHenriesHewettHickeyHopewellIrvineJacobsJonesKumahLabelleLaflammeLafleche

LaneLapenseeLedukeLekasLewisLoveMartinMatthewsMcClureMenardMmtonMorganMotonMurphyNawtonyPerkinsPricePrinceQuarlesRame

RamseyRevalionRichardsonRickiRobersonRobidouxRoseRossRowlettSantanaSavoieSaviuoloScottShaviesShepardSilvaSimmonsSmallSmithSpellman

StrongSwenticusTaylorThompsonToneyTrumbleVenturaVickersWai reWalkerWallaceWai leyWhitakerWhiteWhitingWilesWilliamsWilsonZatorski

WAY TO GO, VICKERS!Great job to all of you who responded so promptly to the Vickers family reunion flier! Very impressive! Believe it or not, we already

have almost 200 people who are interested in attending! (Can you believe it?) All of you who returned your forms will be hearingabout the details in a few weeks. ( We want to give the stragglers one more chance.)

If you aren't sure if you're a Vickers' descendant or if you did not receive a flier and wish to receive information, contact CherylMagos c/o NIPMUCSPQMEor at 908-218-0783 or Email NipmucNews@aol.com-Folks, anyone who didn't get a flier was not purposely overlooked. (Basically, I am not perfect and you personally have first handknowledge of that' Please forgive my error and CALL me to tell me that you'll be coming!©)

Here s some of the stuff we are attempting to arrange for the weekend:• Various speakers on topics such as Nipmuc archeology, traditions, genealogy, history• Native drumming, singing, dancing• Veterans honoring -past and present, possible speaker on Civil War (several Vickers served in Civil War)• Possible tours of historic Nipmuc areas, particularly relating to Vickers families• Potluck dinner hopefully including some native recipes (help? Is anybody out there?)• Display of ENTIRE Vickers Family pedigree chart - it is not yet complete and it is already 32 feet wide!• More as it progresses (especially if you offer ideas, and help - who knows when this'll ever happen again?!?)

Meanwhile, here's your job: Send me the names of any veterans living or passed that you wish to be included on the honor roll. Ifyou want your family included on the pedigree chart, you must let me know if there are any additions or corrections to the VickersFamily Summary compiled by the former Nipmuc Tribal Acknowledgment Project. If you need to review your family's section of it,send me a SASE and I will mail the section to you to update. This has to be done by May 30 in order for me to get it entered intothe computer. Okay? Okay. (I trust that you will all be just as impressive this time with your responses!) Talk to all you interestedparties in the near future - watch your mailboxes!

- (CS«n•

We are making every effort to reach all of you! However, not all of our addresses are current. If you move, your mail will be forward*.for only one year, &there is someone in

only if you request it. Please send us any changes or corrections to your address.your family for whom we have no address. Please contact us ASAP to see if you are

Nipmucs. It is our hope to reach everyone <

AdamsAlfordAllenAlmeidaAsscencoaBakerBatesBelangerBennettBenoitBerryBookerBlackBoddieBoucherBrownBowlesBrewsterBrydenBuckley

BullardBurboCareyChesterChurchillClarkeCottleCoxCraytonCrumpCruzDalyDavisDeneaultDorusDunnEdwardsFigueroaFluGallant

% help our Nation grow.

Garrett Lane RamseyGeary Lapensee RevalionGonzalez LedukeGould LekasGrant LewisHamner LoveHarmon Martin

RichardsonRickiRobersonRobidouxRose

Hazard Matthews RossHazzard McClure RowlettHenries MenardHewett MmtonHickey MorganHopewell MotonIrvine Murphy

SantanaSavoieSaviuoloScottShavies

Jacobs Nawtony ShepardJones PerkinsKumah PriceLabelle Prince

SilvaSimmonsSmall

Laflamme Quarles SmithLafleche Raine Spellman

If your last name appears heiable to help us find these "lot

StrongSwenticusTaylorThompsonToneyTrumbleVenturaVickersWai reWalkerWallaceWalleyWhitakerWhiteWhitingWilesWilliamsWilsonZatorski

WAY TO GO, VICKERS!Great job to all of you who responded so promptly to the Vickers family reunion flier! Very impressive! Believe it or not, we already

have almost 200 people who are interested in attending! (Can you believe it?) All of you who returned your forms will be hearingabout the details in a few weeks. ( We want to give the stragglers one more chance.)

If you aren't sure if you're a Vickers' descendant or if you did not receive a flier and wish to receive information, contact CherylMagos c/o MPMVCSPOHKEor at 908-218-0783 or Email NipmucNews@aol.com-Folks, anyone who didn't get a flier was not purposely overlooked. (Basically, I am not perfect and you personally have first handknowledge of that1 Please forgive my error and CALL me to tell me that you'll be coming!©)

Here's some of the stuff we are attempting to arrange for the weekend:• Various speakers on topics such as Nipmuc archeology, traditions, genealogy, history• Native drumming, singing, dancing• Veterans' honoring -past and present, possible speaker on Civil War (several Vickers served in Civil War)• Possible tours of historic Nipmuc areas, particularly relating to Vickers families• Potluck dinner hopefully including some native recipes (help? Is anybody out there?)• Display of ENTIRE Vickers Family pedigree chart - it is not yet complete and it is already 32 feet wide!• More as it progresses (especially if you offer ideas, and help - who knows when this'll ever happen again?!?)

Meanwhile, here's your job Send me the names of any veterans living or passed that you wish to be included on the honor roll. Ifyou want your family included on the pedigree chart, you must let me know if there are any additions or corrections to the VickersFamily Summary compiled by the former Nipmuc Tribal Acknowledgment Project. If you need to review your family's section of it,send me a SASE and I will mail the section to you to update. This has to be done by May 30 in order for me to get it entered intothe computer. Okay? Okay. (I trust that you will all be just as impressive this time with your responses') Talk to all you interestedparties in the near future - watch your mailboxes'

O

snCcvsn

"

ssayaav

9^880 f A/Z6Z9 X09 Od

SUMMER SOLSTICE GATHERINGtrayWF /; /w/7Fo £ women TO ATTEND

THIS GATHERING OF FAMILY & FWHWDate: June 21-23 Sterling Springs Campground

Place: Sterling Springs CampgroundPratt Junction/Sterling MA

*

NO TRADERS, NO DRUGS, NO ALCOHOL

Bring camping gear & food -- including something to share for the Potluck meal.

For information & directions please call:(508)791-5007(908)218-0783

t>£