THE SPIRIT OF PLACE
Cape Cod's Ancient and Enduring First People
The Mashpee Wampanoag

The lure of Cape Cod lies not only in the present, but in the past, its ancient past.

The synergy here of geological history, Nature's untamed beauty and vigor and the dimensions of time and humanity in this ocean-embraced sanctuary draw people from all points of the compass. For visitors and residents alike, it is a place to not only escape everyday life, enjoy a multitude of attractions, and find the ecstasy of simply living. It is also a vibrant touchstone to a past that lives with the present.

More people are discovering every day that, like Ireland, Greece, China and other places of antiquity, Cape Cod is a sacred site with spiritual powers. To know it truly and deeply is to know the epic story of its original people — the Wampanoag, whose name means, People of the First Light. Rooted in this earth for 12,000 years with descendants enduring here today, they are the pulse, heart and soul of this land.

Every acre of the land and waterbeds hold some tangible token of Wampanoag lives lived here for ages. The merging of today's postmodern hunger for sensitivity toward the world, for spiritual connection, emotional honesty and the strong sense of a healing presence here has turned attention to the Wampanoag story.

When Europeans migrated here some 400 years ago, they thought they had discovered a New World. To their surprise, what they actually found was a very Old World with over 500 nations and millions of people across this continent, who had been here for thousands of years.

The Wampanoag Nation encompassed the region known today as southeastern Massachusetts and into Rhode Island. The Mashpee Wampanoag are The Wampanoag Nation's sole surviving tribe on Cape Cod. While the Cape has recently become a home to many cultures, it has been the homeland, the motherland of the Mashpee Wampanoag for millennia.
 

The Wampanoag are legendary as peacekeepers. Their storied encounter with Europeans has been primarily focused on the 101 Mayflower Pilgrims, who arrived in 1620, and began to settle in a colony they called Plimoth along the Wampanoag Nation’s southeastern coast. The Wampanoag leader Massasoit (Great Sachem) Ousamequin (Yellow Feather) was a benevolent man and instructed his warriors to just watch the visitors from afar. In less than a year, 49 Pilgrims perished due to illness and their inability to survive in these unfamiliar surroundings.

Witnessing the struggles of the remaining 52 Pilgrims, Massasoit took action. It was a turning point in history, a moment when he could have easily ended a foreign incursion and potential threat to the Wampanoags' ancient civilization. Instead, he responded with biblical sensibilities he instinctively understood without knowing the Bible. He chose to show mercy, respect and kindness to the suffering Pilgrims. He instructed his people to teach them how to live with, be nourished by and protective of Nature’s abundant gifts here.

Their now infamous shared Thanksgiving Feast of 1621 was far different than has been generally depicted. It was actually known then as the Harvest Celebration, which Wampanoag past and present call Keepunumuk, meaning the time of harvest. It is one of many traditional celebrations the Wampanoag have shared each year for millennia.

In the context of history, the three-day Thanksgiving Feast of 1621 was equivalent to an official state dinner today. The hosts were Massasoit Ousamequin and a delegation of 90 Wampanoag warriors in full regalia. The Pilgrims provided vegetables from their first harvest. The Wampanoag provided five deer and assorted wildfowl, from ducks to wild turkeys.
 

Every element of that momentous gathering was designed to strengthen the bonds of friendship and seal the shared aspirations for peace, liberty and freedom of religion between the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims. A Treaty of Mutual Protection was prepared and signed, affirming their official partnership for peace and pledge to respect and protect one another.

Mere decades later, the treaty and partnership were broken by new waves of foreigners with different ideas, who violated the ancient laws, traditions and values of the Wampanoag Nation. Massasoit Ousamequin's peace plan had held for 50 years. He died in his 70’s, and his son Wamsutta, who was also known as King Alexander, took his place. King Alexander's reign was short and ended abruptly when he was poisoned by new leaders to the rising tide of colonists.

Next in line as the Great Sachem was Massasoit’s second son Metacomet, who was also known as King Philip. He took the only recourse he felt was left to save his nation and his countrymen from those who defied the established legal peace convenants. He rallied his warriors to defend their homeland in what became known as King Philip’s War in June of 1675. On August 12, 1676, King Philip was killed and his body was quartered. His severed head was mounted on a stake, paraded through the streets of Plymouth and put on display for some 25 years. His wife and son were sold into slavery.

Two centuries later, American essayist, novelist and historian Washington Irving described King Philip/Metacomet in his book Philip of Pokanoket.

"He was the most distinguished of a number of contemporary Sachems . . . who made the most generous stuff of which human nature is capable, fighting to the last gasp in the cause of their country. . . He was a patriot attached to his native soil — a prince true to his subjects, and indignant of their wrongs — a soldier, daring in battle, firm in adversity, patient in fatigue, of hunger, or every variety of bodily suffering, and ready to perish in the cause he had espoused. . . Proud of heart, and with an untamable love of natural liberty . . . with heroic qualities and bold achievements that would have graced a civilized warrior."
 

Small pox and other foreign diseases killed 90 percent of the Wampanoag people in the late 1600's. Among the surviving 10 percent were the Mashpee tribe, who held firm to their homeland on the Cape. Today, there are about 1,500 tribal members. While they remain dedicated to their ancient traditions, they are resilient and progressive people, working in various professions.

The name Mashpee is derived from this region's original name, which is Massipee, meaning, great waters. The Wampanoags residing here acquired the name Massipee Indians centuries ago, because they lived in a village near the beautiful ponds and river known as the Massipee. Over time, the name changed to Marshpee, then the r was dropped, and it became Mashpee.

Over the last 45 years, American Presidents, Congressmen and Legislators, from President John F. Kennedy to President George W. Bush, have worked to right the wrongs committed to America’s ancient first civilizations and their descendants today. Since 1975, the Mashpee Wampanoag have pursued federal recognition of their ancient birthright. Glenn Marshall, Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council, has made federal recognition his administration’s top priority. Most of his time is spent with State Representatives, Congressmen, legal advisors and government officials from Boston to Washington, D.C. and beyond, to secure his tribe’s long overdue entitlement.

Federal recognition will create a government-to-government relationship between the tribe and the U.S. government. It will extend housing, education and health care benefits to tribal members. Today, over 560 tribes have federal recognition.

The Mashpee Wampanoag are one of the world’s oldest civilizations and a significant world heritage. Ireland would not be Ireland without the Irish. Scotland would not be Scotland without the Scottish. Africa would not be Africa without the Africans. Cape Cod would not be Cape Cod and America would not be a democracy without the Mashpee Wampanoag. Preserving America’s ancient history means preserving the Mashpee Wampanoag in their homeland and sustaining their cultural and economic future.

For a stirring heritage experience connecting with ancient Cape Cod, visit the Mashpee Wampanoag Pow Wow, a homecoming and cultural celebration held annually the first weekend in July. It is a unique opportunity to meet Mashpee Wampanoag tribal members and members of other tribes. Every detail of their handmade and colorful regalia, every movement of their symbolic dance steps, every beat of their drums and note of their songs tell a story, honor the ancient ones, show respect to nature and echo their heritage past, present and future.

To learn more about the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, visit the tribe’s website:

www.mashpeewampanoagtribe.com
 

References:
- Philip of Pokonoket by Washington Irving
- King Philip's War: The History and Legacy of America's Forgotten
  Conflict by Eric B. Schultz and Michael   J. Tougias
- Wampanoag Indigenous Program, Plimoth Plantation, Linda Coombs
- Manomet Wampanoag tribe, Randy Joseph, Jr.
- Chief Flying Eagle, Earl Mills, Sr.
- Glenn Marshall, Chairman, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council
  . . . and much more

Photos:
1. Mashpee River
2) Massasoit Ousamequin Great Sachem, Wampanoag Nation,
   1600's Statue in Plymouth
3) Glenn Marshall ( Mooshoog Metah - "Iron Heart" ),
    Past Chairman, (2000 to 2007) Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council
4) Cheenulka Pocknett and Mishanagqus Mills, Head Man and Head Woman Dancers,
    2006 Mashpee  Wampanoag Pow Wow
5) Madas Pocknett, 2006 Mashpee Wampanoag Pow Wow Princess
6) Chief Flying Eagle - Earl Mills, Sr.

Photography by Kathy Sharp Frisbee ©2005

Kathy Sharp Frisbee is an independent photographer, photojournalist, writer and columnist, whose work has been published in a range of media nationally and internationally.

www.kathysharpfrisbee.com

Updated: September 6, 2006