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• The Wampanoag are a group of Native Americans of the Algonquian family whose historical territory includes southeast Massachusetts (excluding Cape Cod), and parts of Rhode Island. Wampanoag History

• Fast Facts

  1. Spoke a native Wampanoag languageOrrin's Website: Wampanoag Indian Facts for Kids
  2. Participated in the first Thanksgiving
  3. Noted 17th Century leader: Massasoit
  4. Nearly wiped out by smallpox pandemic, circa 1617-1620James Madison University: The Wampanoag
  5. Fought colonists in King Philip's War, in 1675-1676Mayflower History: Wampanoag Archaeological History
  6. Core group reduced to about 400 following the warWampanoag History
  7. A replica village is operated at the Plimoth Plantation living museumPlimoth Plantation: Wampnoag Homesite

• Historical Importance

  The Wampanoag were the first Native Americans encountered by the Pilgrims. Like most groups in the region, their numbers had been reduced by roughly 90% by the time the Mayflower landed, due to the introduction of smallpox to North America. James Madison University: The Wampanoag

  Relations with the Pilgrims were initially friendly, and included the canonical first Thanksgiving, although Pilgrim lore maintained that God had arranged the near-extinction of the Wampanoag to provide empty land for colonization -- a belief that would lead to less neighborly relations as the Pilgrims grew more independent and able to provide for themselves. Jackson Snyder: The Who's Who of Thanksgiving

• The Wampanoag Today

  With a current total population of roughly 3,300, many more Wampanoag live today at a reservation on Martha's Vineyard. Formerly the Gay Head Wampanoag, this group of roughly 1,000 benefited from a 1998 decision to change the name of the surrounding municipality to 'Aquinnah.'U.S. Census Bureau: Wampanoag Tribe Statistics: 2000 Wampanoag Tribe: Aquinnah Wampanoag History & Government

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Massasoit | Squanto | Plymouth Colony | Jamestown Colony | Massachusetts Bay Colony | Miles Standish | The Pilgrims | Smallpox | First Thanksgiving | The Pilgrims | Massachusetts

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