13 Moon Ceremony to become a Clan Grandmother is a sacred ceremony for Eastern woodland American native tribes to strengthen and insure their royal families.

Eastern Woodland American Native Clan is defined as a group of people usually related by family ties, and under the leadership of a matriarch the Clan is based on a matrilineal system.

They have Clan Grandmothers and Grandfathers, (13 mood ceremony) as well as Clan Mothers and Clan Fathers.

The Clan Grandmother is the keeper of the sacred medicine bundle from which the Clan derives its right of existence in most traditional Native American Clans, and who, in conjunction with the Clan Mothers, generally has the authority to set policy for the Clan as a whole.

The Clan Grandfather carries the Clan name and who, in conjunction with the Clan Fathers, is generally responsible for ensuring that the policies established by the Clan Grandmother are implemented at the well of the Sachem.

A person can also be adopted into a clan.

Clan adoption is an almost universally accepted means of admitting "outsiders" and helps in the preservation of the tribe.

The word clan comes from the time of the Vikings trade visit and family mixings long before Christopher Columbus came to our shores, the Europeans also have clans.

  What is an American native Powwow (Paw-paus)?

If you wish after you finish enjoying this page

please feel free to come and enjoy our pages

about traditional American native

events like our powwows.

http://home.earthlink.net/~sachemuncas/powwows/

03/12/2008

Lately I have been enjoying reading the questions that people seem to want answers to as they come to my web sites, many very good questions that I would be happy to answer only I have no way of doing so unless you write to me, so if you what my answers to your questions please write to me at

ussbetelgeuse@earthlink.net

or

sachemuncas@earthlink.net

I have been getting letters from all over the world and am answering them as quickly as possible.

I believe that some letters should even be answered on this web page for all to see.

Gary asks, “I have a picture of your Sachem Uncas on my site, I found the picture in the Cooper book, is it a correct likeness to Uncas”?

 WELCOME TO MY SITE’s

If you came to my site and are in a hurry and looking for my Ancestor Sachem Unkas (Uncas) please start here

http://www.sachem-uncas.com/history.html

Or

http://www.sachem-uncas.com/villages.html

Please come back soon.

However, welcome come stay awhile I hope that you enjoy your stay.

Tobacco gift

How and when to present a gift of tobacco to an American native?

Any and every time that one wishes to speak with another it should be

honored by a native tobacco (Kicnic-kicnic) gift.

Naming Ceremony Protocol

First and the most important thing would be to make sure that you are an American native, to find this out ask an elder.

The traditional way to make a request to receive your American native name is to give a gift of tobacco, as the request is made, to the person you are requesting the name from. You and your family must also plan a meal or "feast" to celebrate after the Naming Ceremony is completed. If others are receiving their names, the covered dishes will be shared.

Present a gift of tobacco from your left hand to the left hand of the individual you are wishing to receive a name from this means heart to heart.

 This person should be a person you respect and must be someone who is an American native elder from the nation that you are requesting a name from.

Personally ask if you may make a request of this person, either in person, by phone or e-mail.

Receive this individual's consent to allow you to make a request.

Honor a male and a female with tobacco and request that they stand with you as sponsors at the ceremony. These should be individuals who have made a significant impact in your life and are familiar with that American native nation.

Naming ceremony is held in a prayer circle with a fire, both of which must be properly prepared. (Honor the prayer circle with appropriate attire and attitudes. Regalia should be worn if available.)

Give thanks to the Creator and all the sponsors.

Uncas Village

After their split from the Pequot’s, Sachem Uncas and his followers settled on land close to the areas that they had used for fishing, hunting and clamming. The village was also close to the Uncas Leap Falls.

Elders Village

The Elders village was used by Sachem Uncas to protect the southern end of his main village. Following their departure from the Pequot tribe and before the Pequot’s were completely annihilated by their neighbors, the villages of Uncas were under constant attack by his father-in-law, Sachem Sassacus. After the Pequot’s were eventually destroyed, the Mohegan’s were then attacked by the old enemies of Sassacus. Uncas took some of his best warriors and trusted elders and began using the area which is now the Mohegan Church, as a mini village overlooking the river. After each battle, Uncas always gave a captured brave the option of being set free or becoming a member of this mini Village.

Cauchegan Rock Village

During the time of Sachem Uncas, most Eastern Woodland Indians built Round and Long houses at choice locations on Mother Earth. These houses were permanent, but the people moved according to the seasons. One of these premium locations was the area surrounding Cauchegan Rock.

Indian Leap Falls

The location where Sachem Uncas leaped to safety while being chased by his enemies(the Narragansett’s from RI). Following this event, these same warriors chose to leap to their deaths rather than be captured by Uncas and his men. An alter was later built at this site and it then became a place of prayer for Native Americans.

Royal Burial grounds

Reflecting the great importance of Indian Leap Falls, the Sachems choose an area nearby as a place of burial for the Royal families.

Turtle Hill Village

This village was a regular stopping place between the Pequot River and Cauchegan Rock after the Mohegan’s had been out berry picking, fishing or swimming, also with an alter and Royal burial ground.

What and where is this Turtle hill?

I find it hard to believe that throughout all of these years with so many new INDIANS in New England not one has tried to stake a claim to the 2^nd most important place in Mohegan land since just after the split from the parent family of Pequot’s.

The elders teach that our ancestors had to place braves on turtle hill (sometimes called Turtle Island) because the new enemy Pequot’s and old enemies Narragansett’s and Tariateans used the Pequot river crossing in that spot to attack this new group of people.

The ancestors also used this area as a good resting place while traveling from the Pequot river, the ocean and the elder villages, now called New London, Waterford, Quaker hill Montville and Norwich, on the way back to our main village of Cauchegan.

Because it is believed that our 1^st Sachem’s father is buried under this alter on the hill I had to swear on this alter not to divulge the whereabouts of this very sacred place.

Unlike our prayer rock (Cauchegan village) I will never allow greed to pollute this land, I only write this because I wish for all traditional American Natives “please add this land to your already long prayer list” to Grandfather Creator!

AHO

The Trading Post

Uncas befriended a colonist and gave him some land to set up a trading post because of the problems with past enemies and the new problems with the colonists. After this gift, he had more favorable contact with the colonists and an even better warning system in place for the protection of his villages.

The Pequot River

The Pequot River was a vital part of the defensive strategy for Sachem Uncas and his people. It was the very life blood of the Tribe, being used for food, transportation and the defense of their homes.

The holidays are coming around again; this is the time when I start reminiscing about the Ancestors (anyone that has crosses from my Pequot/Mohegan past).

I am not talking about James Fedamore Coopers fiction movie (the Last of the Mohican) about an inadequate resemblance to our Sachem Uncas, I am not even talking about all for the wannabe’s that showed up after our money hungry politicians turn our land over to the mob (casinos),

I am talking about real honest to goodness American Native people.

I wonder how many American Native people through-out Indian country have lost their pray places since first contact?

I am guessing that it would be easier to check on how many did not lose a prayer place?

Whatever happened to the rest of our Royal burial grounds, The Mohegan trading post, The Pequot River, Turtle Hill Village and Indian leap falls alter? What about Cauchegan Rock and Cauchegan village?

Sachem Uncas

Kiehtan, Woonand and Cantantowit are Eastern Woodland American Native words for Creator

As described in this as well as many other old books of our past history.

Wadsworth or Charter Oak

By

W.H. Gocher

“The traditions of a nation are part of its existence”—Disraeli

Hartford, Conn.

Published by W.H. Gocher-1904

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/other/abl/etext/Wadsworth/wadsworthcomplete2.html

104

The Suckiag Indians, who were here when what they called the big canoes with white wings were first seen on the river, and from whom the Hooker company purchased the site of Hartford, asked Will­iam Gibbons to spare it, as in addition to being a landmark the oak was the peace tree of the tribe.

The sachem Sequassen said that the tree was planted by the great sachem who led his people from the land of the setting sun as a pledge of per­petual peace with those whom they found here and from whom they received the land. At the planting their tomahawks1 were buried under it and the acorn adopted as their totem. For centuries the Suckiag Indians lived in peace, fishing in the great river and its branches and hunting in the forest, while the squaws and the old men planted the corn and beans which Kiehtan sent them from the southwest. Ac­cording to the Indian tradition, the corn2 was

1 The English, when adopting the name of the Indian hatchet, called it tom-my-hawk. The Indians say tume-hegan, the e being short, and scarcely sounded, with the short sound of a and the h has a full aspirate as hee. The gn is sounded short. This word is com­pounded of the Indian verb tume-ta-mun, to cut, and the noun hegun, a sharp cutting instrument. In com­pounding this word half of the verb is clipped off and joined with the noun. 'The Southern Indians have the following tradi­tion concerning the origin of corn, beans and tobacco: "Two youths, while pursuing the pleasures of the chase, were led to an unfrequented part of the forest, where, being fatigued and hungry, they sat down to

105 brought by the sacred blackbird and the bean bv the crow, the former being first seen in the slender branches of the peace tree when the leaves were the size of a mouse's ear, and by this they fixed the time for placing the corn in the ground.

As the generations of Indians were gathered to their long sleep, the oak increased in size and was known as a landmark and meeting place for all the tribes on the river. In the fourth generation before the coming of the white man, Wawanda, the sach­em's favorite wife, bore him male twins, and in the year of their birth a sprout appeared on the north­east side of the oak. It was permitted to remain, and as the boys, who were named Saweg- and No-washe, each of them being given a portion of their

rest themselves and to dress their victuals. While they were in this employ the spirit of the woods, at­tracted by the savory smell of the venison, approached them in the form of a beautiful female and seated her­self beside them. The youths, awed by the presence of so superior a being, presented to her in the most respectful manner a share of their repast, which she was pleased to accept, and eat with satisfaction. The repast being finished, the female spirit informed them that if they would return to the same place after the revolution of twelve moons they would find something which would recompense their kindness, disappeared from sight. The youths returned at the appointed time and found that upon the place on which the right arm of the goddess had reclined a stalk of corn had sprung up; under her left, a stalk of beans, and from the spot on which she had been seated was growing a flourishing plant of tobacco."

106

father's name, Sawashe, grew in years, the sprout became a twig and finally a branch as large as a man's arm. In this limb the powwows and a few of the sagamores saw the sign of a split in the tribe. At different times they urged its removal, but Sa-washe, proud of the skill and rugged strength of the twin brothers, although they were almost oppo-sites in disposition, would never consent, as he be-lieved that the great father Kiehtan1 placed it there

1The Connecticut Indians believed in one great and invisible Deity, who was known in the different tribes as Kiehtan, Woonand and Cantantowit. The Indians placed the dwelling of Kiehtan in the southwest be-cause the wind from that quarter is the warmest and pleasantest that blows in this climate and usually brings fair weather. They also believed that the soul existed after death and that the spirits of the good would go to the house of Kiehtan. Then they would be delivered from sorrow and enjoy pleasures similar to those which they had indulged in here, only in abundance and in perfection. They also believed that the wicked would go to the door of Kiehtan and knock for admittance; but upon his telling them to go away, they would be obliged to wander forever in a state of horror and discontent. The Narragansett In-dians believed that Cantantowit made a man and woman of stone, but not liking them he broke them to pieces and made another pair of wood, from whom all human beings were descended. Another tribe, when questioned as to their creation, said that two squaws were once wading in the sea; the foam touched their bodies and they became pregnant; one brought forth a boy and the other a girl; the two squaws then died and their children became the progenitors of the hu-man race.-Massachusetts Historical Collections, Vol. III., and De Forest's History of Indians of Connecti-cut.

History of the Indians of Connecticut from the Earliest Known Period to 1850

 By John William De Forest, Felix Octavius

http://books.google.com/books?id=4OwNAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=Kiehtan&source=web&ots=7OyDVzEjML&sig=oE047Cz9fm6sphtk-55ZPVNOscA&hl=en&ei=gAmXSYKuNMyatwejp8iwCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=6&ct=result#PPP1,M1

Page#23

The Plymouth Colony Archive Project

http://www.histarch.uiuc.edu/plymouth/goodnews7.html

Good Newes from New England
Chapter 7, 1624

A few things I thought meet to add hereunto, which I have observed amongst the Indians, both touching their Religion, and sundry other Customs amongst them. And first, whereas my self and others, in former Letters (which came to the Press against my will and knowledge) wrote, that the Indians about us are a people without any Religion, or knowledge of any God, therein I erred, though we could then gather no better: For as they conceive of many divine powers, so of one whom they call Kiehtan, to be the principal and maker of all the rest, and to be made by none: He (they say) created the heavens, earth, sea, and all creatures contained therein. Also that he made one man and one woman, of whom they and we and all mankind came: but how they became so far dispersed that know they not. At first they say, there was no Sachem, or King, but Kiehtan, who dwelleth above in the Heavens, whither all good men go when they die, to see their friends, and have their fill of all things: This his habitation lyeth far West-ward in the heavens, they say; thither the bad men go also, and knock at his door, but he bids them Quatchet, that is to say, Walk abroad, for there is no place for such; so that they wander in restless want and penury: Never man saw this Kiehtan; only old men tell them of him, and bid them tell their children, yea, to charge them to teach their posterities the same, and lay the like charge upon them. This power they acknowledge to be good, and when they would obtain any great matter, meet together, and cry unto him, and so likewise for plenty, victory, etc. sing, dance, feast, give thanks, and hang up Garlands and other things in memory of the same.

Uncas and his Bolton friendship

UNCAS AND MIANTINOMO

by Hans DePold, town historian

(June 2008)

Uncas was indeed the embodiment of the wise sachem (chieftain) that James Fenimore Cooper described in his book, "The Last of the Mohicans." But unlike Cooper's sachem, Uncas did not live in the 18th century in upstate New York; he lived right here in the Thames River basin in the 17th century. And Uncas was not the last Mohegan—he was the first.

The success of Uncas and the Mohegan tribe led to great change in the region's power structure. With the help of the Mohegans, the English triumphed against the Dutch and Connecticut was at peace from Indian wars. The Mohegan tribe became the unrivalled native power during colonial times. And Uncas was responsible for the Mohegans surviving as a sovereign nation. He played a major part of Bolton's heritage and is a symbol of the very best of our Native American heritage. Thanks in part to Uncas, the four essential virtues of Native American spirituality survived: respect for a Supreme Being, respect for Mother Earth, respect for one's fellow man, and respect for individual freedom.

A British writer named Patrick M'Robert in his letters of 1774 and 1775 described the ancient inhabitants of America: "These are tall, nimble, well-made people; many of them about six feet high, with long black hair, their complexion a little tawny, or copper-colored; their eyes black and piercing, their features good, especially the women."

It is said that most Connecticut Native Americans believed in one Supreme Being, who was known in the different tribes as Kiehtan, Woonand and Cantantowit. They placed the dwelling of Kiehtan in the southwest because the wind from that quarter is the warmest that blows in Connecticut and usually brings fair weather. They also believed that the soul existed after death and that the spirits of the good would go to the house of Kiehtan. There they would be delivered from pain and sorrow and enjoy an afterlife similar to that which they had here, only in abundance and in perfection. They believed that when the wicked went to the door of Kiehtan he would tell them to go away and they were obliged to wander alone and lost forever.

Uncas was exceptional and showed by his actions that he loved not only his people, but also cared about his defeated enemies and even admired the English. When overpowered by his enemies, he either turned his other cheek to avoid conflict or he turned the tables on them. He created the sovereign Mohegan nation. And in that nation he was first in friendship, first in his word of honor, and first in stability and dependability. He was a Mohegan rock. In fact the word sachem, as Uncas was called, means "rock man" and in Mohegan they would say, "Ne-woe-me-suns-mo," which means, "Are you going to the rock?"

Miantinomo, sachem of the Narragansett in Rhode Island, was still filled with hatred for the Pequot whom he helped defeat. He became envious of the growing influence of Uncas and began to engage in numerous attacks against the Mohegan homeland of Moheganeak.

The Mohegan, the Mohawk, and the Narragansett had sided with the English during the Pequot War. No Native American tribes supported the Pequot who started that war. But now the Pequot survivors had been adopted into the Mohegan tribe and the hatred that Miantinomo felt for the Pequot was unfairly transferred to Uncas and the Mohegans. The Hartford General Court on October 12, 1643 noted that the Mohegan tribe under Uncas's leadership was a critically important ally to the English. The court offered some English ironclad soldiers to help the Mohegans defend against the harassing Narragansett raids.

This eventually led in 1644 to a war known as the Battle of the Great Plains. It required a large open field east of what is now Norwich, where Uncas would let the great Narragansett sachem proudly array his overwhelming army of warriors. As it happens, it was also a place where the Mohegan bow and arrow would be effective on a very large scale. Miantinomo typically attacked with upward of 700 warriors. While Uncas sometimes maintained as many as 500 warriors, they were primarily defensive and spread thinly through Moheganeak. Uncas usually led between 100 and 200 elite warriors into battle. The Mohegan warriors were the best and brightest warriors from all the other nations because Uncas welcomed all nations, offered the greatest freedom, and upheld the Native American traditions and virtues.

The Mohegans were greatly outnumbered by the Narragansett but Uncas had a plan. Uncas would ask Miantonomo to fight him single handed in mortal combat in the open field. He told his warriors that when Miantonomo refused to fight him, Uncas would drop to the ground and that would be the signal for the Mohegan warriors to fire all their arrows at the Narragansett warriors.

When Uncas fell to the ground as though he were dead, the Narragansett were startled and confused. Volleys of arrows struck the Narragansett but carefully missed the area where Uncas and Miantinomo were. The plan worked and most of the Narragansett warriors were finished off within a minute. Then the Mohegans attacked in hand-to-hand combat.

Miantonomo ran for his life but was run down by the Mohegan warrior Tantaquidgeon and brought back to Uncas. Then the mighty Mohegan sachem Uncas, with a great number of his bravest warriors and wisest and most trusted advisors (sagamores), brought Miantonomo through Bolton to the colonial commissioners in the Hartford colony.

Fearful of continual agitation among the native tribes, the New England colonies had established a regional commission to deal with relations with the tribes, as well as trade and other issues. These Commissioners of the United Colonies decided to hand Miantinomo back to be executed in Mohegan lands by his captor Uncas, thus avoiding any direct conflict between the Narragansett and English. Subsequently, Miantonomo was slain quickly by Uncas's brother Wawequa when they arrived back in Bolton Notch.

        The body of Miantinomo, with a hatchet buried in the back of his head, was never found and it is said that his spirit still wanders alone and lost along the Mohegan trails through Bolton.

Mohegan youths and their leader participating in a powwow on the Bolton town green in 1920 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Bolton. Mary Gleason Sumner appears to be the third person on the leader's left. Photo courtesy Genevieve Robb

SQUAW CAVE

The black hole to my left is more than man-sized and seems to extend far back into the notch before turning out of sight. This is one of the three caves we have found and there could be six cave entrances altogether. In the summer, if you do not know where it is, you could walk within 20 feet of this immense entrance without seeing it. Even in winter, it cannot be seen from the highway, about the cave and Wunnee and Peter Hager.

GHOSTS OF BOLTON PAST AND PRESENT

by Hans DePold, town historian

(February & June, 2003)

A few years ago I was telling a Hartford Courant writer about a Bolton Quarryville ghost story. I told her we had left out stories about the ghosts of Bolton for fear they could affect the Bolton real estate market. She explained that ghosts are no problem. Her house in Mansfield was haunted until she told the ghost he frightened her and she wished he would stop appearing. He never appeared again! Ghosts are described as being in a state of denial, unable to accept the fact that they have died and should move on. You'd think they would notice their clothing was very much out of fashion.

If you encounter a ghost or a ghostly phenomenon in Bolton, keep your wits about you. But before you read further, are your doors and windows locked? Are all the lights on? Are you sitting in the middle of your bed with your feet off the floor so that if something is below the bed it can't pull you under?

The Gay City ghost town rested at the south side of Bolton. It was begun about 1796 by a religious order whose members believed in serving the male members whiskey before their two weekly services. This promoted good attendance and tended to enliven the meetings. Their preacher did not preach Puritan hell and brimstone; no, he was always in good spirits. The religious order built a channel where water is said to have flowed uphill from a pond to a waterwheel that powered their mills. That frightened some workers away. Many strange things occurred in Gay City, where they made such good fun of Puritan preaching that the regular Bolton folk generally stayed away. Abandoned by the religious order shortly after the War of 1812, the mills continued to be operated until fires mysteriously burned everything to the ground. Today, Gay City State Park has one of Bolton's favorite swimming holes at the site of the pond built to collect the water that flowed uphill.

Now to the ghosts of Notch Hollow... What causes the seeming rapid weather changes that occur just at the Notch? Drivers have reported their car windows misting over and sometimes freezing solid white as they pass over the abandoned railroad line in the deepest part of the Notch. I know that to be a fact for it has happened more than once to my family. Who watches over the painted rock? Who painted the flag there after 9-11? Who puts the Christmas tree and flag up on the rock? Whose eerie voice is heard singing up on the rocks when the moon moves across the sky on some lonely summer nights? There are ghostly stories of quarrymen, the Dutchman, and Chief Miantinomah, all of whom died untimely deaths in Notch Hollow.

Former Bolton historian Larry Larned showed me that of the 26 Notch Hollow buildings that still existed as late as 1913 only one remains today. Notch Hollow is now a specter of the past, a part of old Quarryville that no longer exists. Most people now call it Bolton Notch from the deep trench left by more than 200 years of quarrying. But in the 1600s the Mohegan Indians knew the area to be the highest land in the region, dominated by an enormous sacred flat rock, Wiashguagwumsuck, at the northwestern border of their territory.

Intermarriage in the Massachusetts Bay colony was illegal. The first recorded untimely death at Wiashguagwumsuck was that of Peter Hager, a young Dutchman who lived there with his Podunk Indian wife Wunnee in a cave on the southwest side. Peter was fatally wounded at Wiashguagwumsuck but his body has never been found. Later, in 1643, at the conclusion of the Pequot war with the British, Mohegan Chieftain Uncas had his prisoner, the Pequot Chief Miantinomah, executed as they passed sacred Wiashguagwumsuck. Miantinomah's body, with a tomahawk protruding out the back of its skull, also has never been found. Quarrying also claimed several lives over the years. These are all possible suspects in the old Notch ghost tales.

The railroad executives built a clubhouse for themselves and their influential friends at the west end of Notch Hollow. The trains would stop there when signaled, as well as at the usual stop at the station in the Notch. Steam from the train would condense and in the winter sometimes frosted over nearby windows. The story goes that four lawyers who were wheeling and dealing in the booming thread mill industry had met at the clubhouse to strategize. A big hulking man entered from the howling snowstorm and silently stood before the fire rubbing his enormous hands, trying to warm himself. They could not see his face but worried that the stranger may have heard some of their schemes and wondering if he was from Willimantic, they demanded, "Where are you from, sir?" Suddenly the room was as cold as all outdoors. The man spun around, and with eyes like burning coals he snarled, "From Hell, where you four are going." Then he threw open the door and disappeared back into the swirling snow and was never seen again.

The ghost train has been reported in many places along both abandoned and operating rail lines. The legend says that the ghost train's steam, wheels, and carriages make not a single sound as they sweep along on invisible rails. Sometimes people in Bolton have seen a white steamy mist sweep down the greenway trail as though it was from an old ghostly steam train. Could the sudden condensation on car windows in the summer, and the sudden winter frosting over of car windows as they cross the abandoned rail line at the Notch, be caused by the steam of Bolton's passing ghost train?

Martin Luther, the Catholic priest who started the Reformation, one night threw a bottle of ink at a ghost. Today you can visit his room and still see the ink splatter on the wall. But today, seeing ghosts doesn't look good on your job resume, unless perhaps your name is Ed or Lorraine Warren. This husband and wife team of ghost hunters, most associated with the Amityville horrors, has recently visited Bolton.

The January 2001 meeting of the Bolton Historical Society brought out spontaneous discussion of the past and present ghosts of Bolton. One house in town boasts of a ghost who is dressed as a soldier who sometimes descends the staircase on moonlit nights. Residents of another house have seen a Civil War-era woman wearing an outfit complete with hoop skirt and bonnet. Still another house has unexplained old gravestones in the walkway around the house.

But the most recent story is that of recent Bolton homebuyers who purchased a historic home and decided to have it checked out by the well-known ghost hunters, Ed and Lorraine Warren. The jaw of the real estate agent dropped when she met them. The Warrens walked all around the house, and then suddenly Lorraine stopped and said she felt something strange in the sitting room. She told everyone to wait outside and she went in and closed the door behind her. The hair on the back of the homebuyer's neck stood up. Lorraine then emerged from the room and said there was no ghost but a presence. The owners later learned that the previous owner, an elderly woman, spent much of her time in that room before she died.

Perhaps these stories have unsettled you or perhaps one of them seems close to home and you suddenly noticed your clothing is very much out of fashion. For those Bolton ghosts reading this over your shoulder right now, I leave this Irish blessing, "May you be three days in heaven before the devil knows you're dead!"

The Traditional Mohegan Tribe?

What is this name Mohegan and where did it come from?

I need to start out with some boring statistics to lay the ground work like

” in the beginning”.

Most people believe that American natives chased their food souse mainly the woolly Mammoth through the Bering straits land bridge and our people came across and down into what are now the Great lakes in the Hudson River valley. Our English name became known as the Monheags.

One of these groups of people became land diggers/farmers; most of the tribes in that area were warring tribes and through time forced this group of Monheag people east.

After some time and many forced movements this group of Monheags ended up along the Quinatucquet River.

Because of years of battles while losing their farms this tribe learned how to fight so when the Mashantuckets, Missituks, Niantic’s, like the Mohawks long ago came to completely destroy and take the farms they, the Monheags did this to them so the  Dutch named them the Pequins the French changed the name to Pequods and the English changed it to Pequot’s.

Are you still with me?

We are almost finished with the boring stuff!

Please remember that all of this was handed down to me from time by my elders while being taught at our monthly meetings while growing up in Uncas village.

When the English showed up on the Quinatucquet River Sachem Wopigwooit was the leader of the tribe,

Because of his passing the people chose Sasscus as leader hoping that he would force the English back into the ocean.

Sasscus like the Niantic’s and the Narragansett’s hated the English and was at war with them constantly.

War chief Uncas Sasscus son in law tried to reason with Sasscus and the people which fell on deaf ears so he took all that wished to go with him over to the Cauchegan village across the Pequot ( Quinatucquet) river and named them by their old name Monheags and became Sachem.

When it became clear that Sachem Sasscus would not rest until the English, Niantic’s, Narragansett’s and all of the surrounding tribes were removed from that land they all came together and completely eliminated the Pequot tribe!

The English changed this river to the Thames River and Sachem Uncas’s people became known as the Mohegan’s.

Cauchegan Rock

Cochegan rock named by European settlers/Cauchegan Rock the true Mohegan name has been over looked for many years now and I liked it that way.  Cauchegan rock (named after a Mohegan relation family of mine that first lived in the village) is the largest rock in Mohegan land.

The unique setting of the rock was the main reason that it was used so often as a meeting place by Uncas and his followers.

In the spring and for most of the summer, the tribe used it and the land around it, for one of their many villages. Often times, the trees would be used where they stood, to form long and roundhouses. The village was surrounded by fresh water for drinking, gardening, washing, etc., while, the nearby Pequot River provided an abundant supply of fish and clams. The Fox River has now been diverted and used elsewhere by housing development!

My Grandfather told me that the tribe would often put tables and chairs on top of Cauchegan rock when they held their meetings. This would also allow them to see anyone coming towards them from great distances, friend or foe. In the colder weather, the tribe would use the rocks and trees in the area to shelter them from the winds. The warmer weather it was a good place for gardening.

The first Pau-was of the new season would begin at the rock with fellowshipping, before going on to the Great River, the Quinatucquet River, to Pau-was with other tribes.

I have always wondered if it would not be more beneficial for one non-profit organization to share this land with other non-profit organizations and all true native elders.

This very sacred land is now being used to help young men learn about and enjoy Mother Earth.

However, every time someone talks to me about their trip to this Sacred Mohegan Land,

the first thing that they mention is the littering. Why not share the land with our elders, as well as with the Cub Scouts, Brownies and Girl Scouts? In this way, more people would be available to help clean it up, and be taught how to show respect for Mother Earth, while keeping it out of the hands of those who would shame Uncas and all of the Ancestors, by turning it into just another tourist attraction.

Attention/Now for an update,

The Sachem Uncas sacred prayer rock village has been turned over to the casino Indians so now we shall see just how long the Ancestors of New England Woodland American Natives beloved Cauchegan Rock village can remain a sacred Mohegan prayer place?

Aquine,

Sachem Walkingfox

Tobacco gift

How and when to present a gift of tobacco to an American native?

Any and every time that one wishes to speak with another it should be

honored by a native tobacco (Kicnic-kicnic) gift.

Naming Ceremony Protocol

First and the most important thing would be to make sure that you are an American native, to find this out ask an elder.

The traditional way to make a request to receive your American native name is to give a gift of tobacco, as the request is made, to the person you are requesting the name from. You and your family must also plan a meal or "feast" to celebrate after the Naming Ceremony is completed. If others are receiving their names, the covered dishes will be shared.

Present a gift of tobacco from your left hand to the left hand of the individual you are wishing to receive a name from this means heart to heart.

 This person should be a person you respect and must be someone who is an American native elder from the nation that you are requesting a name from.

Personally ask if you may make a request of this person, either in person, by phone or e-mail.

Receive this individual's consent to allow you to make a request.

Honor a male and a female with tobacco and request that they stand with you as sponsors at the ceremony. These should be individuals who have made a significant impact in your life and are familiar with that American native nation.

Naming ceremony is held in a prayer circle with a fire, both of which must be properly prepared. (Honor the prayer circle with appropriate attire and attitudes. Regalia should be worn if available.)

Give thanks to the Creator and all the sponsors.

Sharman, Warlock, Traditional native Medicine man, Oxymoron

Before/After

I am sure that you have noticed I enjoy talking about the time before first contact “A time before the Europeans came to our country).

Well now is the time for me to start talking about this time called "after first contact, the time after Europeans started to pollute our culture with their culture".

As stated in earlier pages, as a young child growing up in Uncasvillage I spent many of my first years at the feet of most of our elders,

these elders often spoke of their elders reminiscence of the days lone gone now of the time before our first contact with Europeans.

All of the elders spoke of their distaste with so many “wannabe Indians,”

These people calling themselves American natives and stating that they are Sharman Medicine men, this is of course is an oxymoron.

Only after the 70’s and the forming of native casinos have so many non-native people been showing up claiming to be this non-native person!

No person could ever walk into a traditional American native gathering and claim to be a Medicine man,

or at least they should not if there is also a plan to be walking out again!

In the first place you will never know who this Traditional American native Medicine person is unless or until you need one!

Checking the internet you will find hundreds of web sites stating that they are this Sharman (Medicine man) and for some of your hard earned money they will teach you to also be one!

A Traditional American Native Medicine person would never charge, if they wish to stay in the graces of Grandfather (Creator)!

If one were to digs a little farther into their web site you will find out that they are usually not even American native people from Indian country!

Please understand that I mean no disrespect to the religious people over in the old soviet bloc and the Asia countries that have been practicing their Shamanism for century's now, a religion not to be confused with our American native Spirituality.

They, the shamans of those countries are more they likely laughing at just how ridicules’ the people in this country are for claiming to be and believing in our phony statements!

I am just stating the fact that a Shaman and a Medicine man are not and never will be one in the same for many reasons!

1^st An American native Medicine person must be appointed by Creator.

2^nd An American native Medicine person must have been taught throughout a life time by a gifted American native elder not like this Eagle person or anyone else that takes gifts.

Please note and except my deepest apologies however, because of many hits from many other countries

 I also included Asia countries!

Although Star Spider Dancing has crossed over

her words of wisdom are as true today as it was

for all of our ancestors.

http://www.ewebtribe.com/NACulture/sacred.htm

What is Shamanism?

The religion of the ancient peoples of northern Europe and Asia, A shaman is one who goes into an altered state of consciousness at will. While in this altered state, he or she makes a conscious choice to journey to another reality. A term that comes from a Siberian tribal word for its practitioners: "shaman" (pronounced SHAH-mahn).

Shamanism, New and Old

An excellent and special article on this subject, which explains in great detail the meaning/origin of "shaman" and why it is a serious error to use this term in relation to American Indian medicine people, healers, spiritual leaders. Written by Jack Forbes, professor emeritus and former chair of Native American Studies at the University of California at Davis, where he has served since 1969. He is of Powhatan-Renápe, Delaware-Lenápe and other background. In 1960-61 he developed proposals for Native American Studies programs and for an indigenous university. In l971 the D-Q University came into being as a result of that proposal

Sorry that some of her links are down however I for one understand why,

the ones that are still working are great information sites!

The circle belongs to the Creator

The job of every Sachem is to serve the people.

The job of all the people is to just get along, fear Creator.

Creator must be in every American circle, if not then the circle will crumble!

The Siberian and Mongolian indigenous peoples, the universe is conceived as a living ... "The word shaman comes from the language of the Evenk

http://www.shamana.co.uk/siberian_shamanism/index.html

Often there is impossible to become a shaman without having shamans-ancestors

Shamanism in Siberia excerpts from Aboriginal Siberia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_doctor

Witches and wizards

http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Wa-Z/Witches-and-Wizards.html

Dangerous Women, Deadly Words

http://www.sup.org/book.cgi?id=885

witch-doctors, a set of quacks, who pretend to cure diseases inflicted by the devil.

After a very intense gathering ceremony

 some of my Clan Mothers asked me to explain

more about the pipe ceremony.

Usually one would not do so in public however,

 after many questions as to why people are now

 doing so through-out the internet

I decided to write this from my heart.

Because I am trying to please two of my elders

(The Matriarch’s of my people).

Elders please bear with me for a moment!

In Indian country this is about Native American Pipes.

I have been to almost if not all American Native

 People through-out Indian country during

my 66 years and at no time

(While visiting Traditional Natives)

 Would one ever see a show

and tell pipe ceremony?

 NEVER!

1^st we should talk about the most famous pipe

of all, the Hollywood pipe (peace pipe).

This is the pipe we have seen on Television since

the television first came on line.

After each and every battle in a movie the

white hat would demand this peace pipe!

2nd the Friendship pipe

A pipe used mostly in an Eastern Woodland society

for welcoming someone to their village, or

thanking someone, or just plain being friendly.

Sacred pipe

A pipe used in all Native American Ceremony’s.

Not to be discussed in public only because

the prayers while using this pipe are between

the holder and Grandfather (Creator).

The western Native societies (nations) use

this very Special pipe and the non-natives

have shortened its use

to call it a peace pipe.

Peace pipe, as explained earlier is

a pipe used by Hollywood mostly to make

the movies look better, usually

this made the Indians look foolish.

however, the point in my story was that

no pipe should be disrespected at any

time anywhere and never to be

performed (show and tell) for the public!

We, the children of the Creator can bless NOTHING,

the best that we can do is make ready for our

Creator to come do the blessing.

AHO

The word squawb (Squaw) is an old American native word that means one that carries our children, or great one.

If I or any elder called you (A women) a Squaw you should blush with pride!

Now, thanks to past ridicule from non natives and our American native greed for the non native ways and lack of concern, that word would bring horror, anger and contempt for me or that elder  from you, why?  American woodland natives please let us get back to the Creator, our ancestors and the old ways.

 A touch of culture for our youth!

 After seeing to the posting of the American and POW/MIA flags after grand entry at

Chief Wodi- Eagle’s powwow and just about to get into my prayer

to our missing brothers & sisters when something caught my eyes.

Outside of the circle in a wheel chair was a WWII Veteran.

My elders taught me to walk over to an elder that can no longer dance, Dancing Feather salute that elder and ask for permission to dance the veterans dance in their place!

My younger brothers & sisters, before you start any dance, look around the circle, if you see an elder, ask for the permission to dance for that elder, I am no longer sure just who gets the most out of that dance, my elder or myself.

Aquine

"Respect should be given those indigenous nations who still carry on their ceremonies; still following the ancient laws of nature with songs and ceremonies."  --Oren R. Lyons, Spokesman, Traditional Circle of Elders Many of our Tribes still have the ceremonies, songs and traditions. Today, the ceremonies and songs are coming back even stronger. The Elders have a lot of this knowledge. The young people need to learn these songs and traditions from the Elders. This is the strength of the people. The ancient Wisdom and Knowledge of ancient Laws are hidden in the ceremonies and songs. We should seek out these songs and ceremonies. 

Great Spirit, teach me the songs and ceremonies. Make my eyes open to see. The circle belongs to the Creator  The job of every Sachem is to serve the people. The job for all of the people is to just get along. Our Creator must be in every circle, if not then the circle will crumble

My Grandfather, teach me a song today.

.

American Native Spirituality

“Spirituality is not religion.

Speaking in the name of religion is a good way to assure a battle. Religion, since the

beginning of time has always been a way to pit humans against each other. In the

name of my God, I take your life your land and your wampum. In the name of Allah or

God or whatever, it has been an excuse for a dominating country or race to make

 servants out of smaller, less populated races or countries.

In the Creator's eyes, we are all servants of the master. We need to spend more time

learning how to serve the Creator and less time trying to make servants out of our

fellow man. The more we learn to serve the Creator, the better everyone's life on

Mother Earth will b”e. Simply put, “Creator created ALL”.

Creator is always right everyone else is always wrong, so follow Creator”!

Before 1^st contact there were well over 1,000 American native tribes in Indian country,

there are still over 500 tribes (Nations) through-out Indian country and ever though

each has its own way of going about it they are all very spiritual and no American

Native would have a problem praying with-in any other nation un-like the Europeans.

Our faith is in Creator, many tribes have their way of getting to it however, they all

 believe that Creator made Mother Earth and placed us on her she is our mother

and cares for us. An American native believe that we can and do pray

anywhere and everywhere, we do not have a book or a leader to help us talk with

 Creator. Many American natives carry a prayer pouch or tobacco bag

however; this is to help remind others to pray. This pouch carries our medicine and is

extremely sacred and should never be touched by an unknown or non believer!