LEADERS FROM THE WAMPANOAG, MOHEGAN AND MOHICAN TRIBES HELD AN EMERGENCY POWWOW FOLLOWING THE SIGHTING OF STRANGE SHIPS OFF THE MASSACHUSETTS COAST. THE CHIEFS WERE DIVIDED IN THEIR OPINIONS ON HOW TO HANDLE THE ARRIVAL OF THESE STRANGE NEWCOMERS. SOME WOULD WELCOME THESE PALEFACE MEN, WHILE OTHERS WARNED THEY WERE A THREAT TO THE GREAT INDIAN NATIONS THAT STRETCHED ACROSS THE CONTINENT. IN THE END THE PEACE PIPE WAS OFFERED AND THESE REFUGEES FROM THE TURMOIL IN THEIR HOMELAND WERE WELCOMED. NOT ONLY WELCOMED, BUT PROVIDED WITH THE NECESSITIES TO WEATHER THE COLD NEW ENGLAND WINTER THAT WAS FAST APPROACHING. OF COURSE, YOU KNOW THE REST OF THEY STORY OR AT LEAST I HOPE YOU DO, FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT LEARN FROM HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT!
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT OVER 200 YEARS AFTER THE AMERICAN INDIAN OPENED HIS BORDERS TO THE WHITE MAN, THE PALEFACE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO REPAY THE REDMAN BY PLACING HIS DWINDLING NUMBERS ON SPACIOUS RESERVATIONS WHERE ALL HIS NEEDS FOR FOOD, CLOTHING AND SHELTER WERE PROVIDED BY A GRATEFUL STATE.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT OVER 200 YEARS AFTER THE AMERICAN INDIAN OPENED HIS BORDERS TO THE WHITE MAN, THE PALEFACE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO REPAY THE REDMAN BY PLACING HIS DWINDLING NUMBERS ON SPACIOUS RESERVATIONS WHERE ALL HIS NEEDS FOR FOOD, CLOTHING AND SHELTER WERE PROVIDED BY A GRATEFUL STATE.
By Ron Russell
