Echoes of Sovereignty: The Narragansett Indian Tribe’s Enduring Battle for Ancestral Lands
For centuries, the land now known as Rhode Island has been imbued with the spirit and history of the Narragansett Indian Tribe. Long before European settlers carved out their colonies, the Narragansett people thrived here, their lives inextricably linked to the forests, rivers, and coastal waters that sustained them. Today, the echoes of their ancient claim reverberate through modern courtrooms, legislative halls, and the very soil they still call home, as the tribe continues its enduring struggle for the recognition and reclamation of their ancestral lands.
The Narragansett’s story is a microcosm of the broader Native American experience in the United States: one of profound connection, violent dispossession, resilient survival, and an unyielding fight for self-determination. Their land claims are not merely about property deeds; they are about sovereignty, cultural preservation, economic independence, and the very identity of a people forged over millennia on a specific patch of earth.
Ancient Roots and First Encounters
Before the arrival of Europeans, the Narragansett were one of the most powerful and numerous tribes in New England, their territory stretching across much of what is now Rhode Island and parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts. They were skilled farmers, fishers, and traders, known for their diplomatic prowess and military strength. Their relationship with the land was spiritual and holistic, viewing it not as something to be owned, but as a living entity to be stewarded.
The first significant encounter with Europeans came in 1636, with the arrival of Roger Williams, banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for his radical views on religious freedom and separation of church and state. Williams, notably, believed in purchasing land from Native Americans rather than simply taking it. He established Providence after acquiring land from the Narragansett sachems Canonicus and Miantonomi. While this act is often hailed as a model of peaceful acquisition, it rested on a fundamental misunderstanding of land tenure. For the Narragansett, land was not a commodity to be bought and sold in perpetuity, but a shared resource with rights of use. The concept of exclusive European-style ownership was alien, laying the groundwork for future conflicts.
The Cataclysm of King Philip’s War
Despite initial alliances and trade, the relentless expansion of English settlements, coupled with disease and cultural clashes, steadily eroded the Narragansett’s autonomy and territory. Tensions escalated into what became known as King Philip’s War (1675-1676), one of the bloodiest conflicts in colonial American history. Though the Narragansett initially tried to remain neutral, their perceived sympathies with Metacom (King Philip) and their refusal to surrender certain Wampanoag refugees led to their devastating involvement.
On December 19, 1675, colonial forces launched a brutal surprise attack on a fortified Narragansett winter encampment in what is now South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Known as the Great Swamp Massacre, this event resulted in the slaughter of hundreds of Narragansett men, women, and children, and the destruction of their vital winter provisions. The massacre effectively broke the back of the Narragansett as a unified military power. Surviving Narragansett were hunted down, sold into slavery, or forced to join other tribes. Their vast ancestral lands were confiscated and parceled out to colonial settlers, cementing the dispossession that forms the core of their historical grievances.
Survival and the Fight Against "Detribalization"
Despite the devastation, a core group of Narragansett survivors clung to their identity and remnants of their land, primarily in what became known as the Narragansett Indian Reservation in Charlestown, Rhode Island. For generations, they resisted relentless pressure to assimilate and relinquish their tribal status.
The late 19th century brought a new wave of threats. In 1880, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed an act "to abolish the tribal relations of the Narragansett Indians," effectively "detribalizing" them. The state claimed this was for the tribe’s benefit, to integrate them into mainstream society. In exchange for relinquishing their tribal status and lands, individuals were offered a paltry sum. Many Narragansett resisted, refusing to accept the payments or give up their heritage. Those who did, often out of economic desperation, found themselves disenfranchised and their community fractured. Yet, against all odds, a core group maintained their cultural practices, traditional governance, and collective memory, often in secret, passing down their heritage through oral histories and family bonds.
As Dawn Dove, a tribal elder and historian, once stated, "They thought they could just legislate us out of existence. But you can’t legislate away a people’s heart, their history, their connection to the land." This quiet resilience formed the bedrock of their future revival.
The Long Road to Federal Recognition and Modern Claims
The 20th century saw a resurgence of Native American activism and a growing movement among the Narragansett to regain their rightful place. They worked tirelessly to prove their continuous existence as a tribe, despite the state’s efforts to dissolve them. This culminated in 1983, when after years of rigorous review, the Narragansett Indian Tribe finally received federal recognition from the U.S. Department of the Interior. This was a monumental victory, restoring their sovereign status and opening the door for the pursuit of land claims under federal law.
Central to their modern land claims is the Nonintercourse Act of 1790, a federal law that prohibits the sale or transfer of Native American lands without congressional approval. The Narragansett argued that the 1880 "detribalization" act and subsequent land sales were illegal under this federal statute, as they occurred without congressional consent.
This legal argument led to a significant land settlement in 1978, prior to federal recognition. The tribe entered into an agreement with the state and private landowners, facilitated by the federal government, which resulted in the return of approximately 1,800 acres of land in Charlestown, Rhode Island. This land, known as the Narragansett Indian Reservation, became the focal point of their renewed tribal life.
However, the legal battles were far from over. A key aspect of federal recognition is the ability for tribes to place land "in trust" with the federal government. This means the land is held by the U.S. government for the benefit of the tribe, making it sovereign territory largely exempt from state and local jurisdiction and taxation.
In 2003, the Narragansett Tribe sought to place an additional 31 acres of land in trust in Charlestown, which they had acquired from private owners, intending to build elderly housing and tribal facilities. This move sparked intense opposition from the State of Rhode Island, which argued that the tribe had only been federally recognized in 1983, and therefore, land acquired after that date could not be placed in trust under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934.
This dispute culminated in the landmark 2009 Supreme Court case, Carcieri v. Salazar. The Court ruled 5-4 that the Secretary of the Interior could only take land into trust for tribes that were "under federal jurisdiction" in 1934, the year the Indian Reorganization Act was passed. Since the Narragansett were not federally recognized until 1983, the ruling effectively barred them from placing the 31 acres in trust.
The Carcieri decision was a devastating blow, not just for the Narragansett but for many other tribes across the country who had achieved federal recognition in the post-1934 era. It created a two-tiered system for tribal land acquisition, severely limiting the ability of "restored" tribes to consolidate their land base and exercise full sovereignty. As former Narragansett Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas lamented, "It’s like saying we’re a tribe, but not a full tribe. It undermines everything we’ve fought for."
Beyond Legal Battles: Cultural Reclamation and Stewardship
Despite these legal setbacks, the Narragansett’s connection to their ancestral lands remains unwavering. Their land claims extend beyond specific parcels to a broader spiritual and cultural reclamation. They advocate for the protection of sacred sites, burial grounds, and culturally significant areas throughout Rhode Island. They are active in environmental preservation, understanding that their stewardship of the land is a continuation of practices that predate colonial intrusion.
The tribe’s efforts are also deeply intertwined with economic development, seeking to create self-sustaining enterprises that benefit their community. Attempts to build a casino, often seen as a pathway to economic independence for tribes, have been met with fierce opposition in Rhode Island, further highlighting the complexities and resistance surrounding tribal sovereignty and land use.
The Enduring Legacy
The Narragansett Indian Tribe’s historical land claims are a living testament to their resilience. They remind us that history is not a static past but a dynamic force that continues to shape the present. The struggle for their ancestral lands is a fight for justice, for the recognition of treaties and inherent rights, and for the fundamental principle of self-determination.
While the legal landscape may be challenging, the Narragansett continue to advocate for legislative changes, educate the public, and maintain their cultural traditions. Their story serves as a powerful reminder that beneath the manicured lawns and bustling towns of modern Rhode Island lie layers of history, sacred sites, and an enduring indigenous presence. The Narragansett people are not merely survivors of history; they are its living embodiment, and their voice, inextricably tied to their ancestral lands, continues to echo, demanding recognition and respect. The soil remembers, and so do the Narragansett.
