Uncasvillage

I find many people coming to my web sites looking for the word Aquine.

The word Aquine has always been used by my people from

the time they left the New York/Canada Great Lakes area.

I believe that the native people from that area pronounce it as

Aquene, I am not sure of their meaning.

I am placing our answer on my web sites.

Just like the word Aquai this is a Pequot/Mohegan

word used time and time again by my elders, now ancestors.

While growing on my reservation Uncasvillage,

there were never more than 13 families teaching our history

However, we were taught our language correctly!

Aquine is something like an Algonquin word Aquene

our meaning for PEACE or I am a friend I come in peace,

while using this word one would have both arms out about

heart high and hands palm down, this was to show

everyone you have no weapon!

Because we have no word of good-by we use the same word Aquine

while on our way, this time with left hand starting from

the heart palm up straight out heart high.

The Pequot/Mohegan word AQUAI means hello,

while meeting someone in passing a friendly Aquai on your way by.

I am not a gambling man however,

it would be a sure bet that anyone that you find

with a name Aquine has American native blood!

Before beginning the story of Sachem Uncas, also known as the Fox,

for his abilities to outsmart all who wished him dead.

I need to be sure that it is understood that the sources for

some of this information was handed down by my Grandfather

and other Elders and some was from other sources.

All of these teachings by my Mohegan Elders, took place at

our monthly meetings, while I was growing up in Uncasvillage.

As computers, telephones or libraries did not exist in

the time of Sachem Uncas, it would be nearly impossible

to say that there is any source about him that is perfect.

It is very disturbing to me and my family to read all of the

so called true stories about not only Sachem Uncas,

but the Mohegan people as well, written by those

who are neither Mohegan, nor even Native.

How can one be an expert without living the story?

Walkingfox

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”.

Before beginning the story of Sachem Uncas, also known as the Fox,

for his abilities to outsmart all who wished him dead.

I need to be sure that it is understood that the sources for

some of this information was handed down by my Grandfather

and other Elders and some was from other sources.

All of these teachings by my Mohegan Elders, took place at

our monthly meetings, while I was growing up in Uncasvillage.

As computers, telephones or libraries did not exist in

the time of Sachem Uncas, it would be nearly impossible

to say that there is any source about him that is perfect.

It is very disturbing to me and my family to read all of the

so called true stories about not only Sachem Uncas,

but the Mohegan people as well, written by those

who are neither Mohegan, nor even Native.

How can one be an expert without living the story?

Walkingfox

This is what I know:

Uncas, who was the first Sachem of the Mohegan People

was a descendant of Royal Blood.

His mother was Mekunump and his father was Oweneco,

they were both Pequots.

Uncas was born near what is today Norwichtown,

the historical Pequot Village in Connecticut in 1588-1683??

Most people believe that American Natives chased their food source,

mainly the Woolly Mammoth, through the Bering Straits Land Bridge

and that our people then came across and down into what

are now the Great Lakes and the Hudson River Valley.

Our English name became known as the Monheags.

One of these groups of people became land diggers or farmers,

however, most of the tribes in that area were warring tribes

which over 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, which later became

known as the Connecticut River in what is now Connecticut.

The many years of battles and losing their farms, taught this tribe

how to fight, so that when the Mashantuckets, Missituks,

Niantic’s, like the Mohawks had so long ago, came to

destroy them and take their farms, the Monheags

were ready for them, waging war first on them,

then the Dutch and then the French.

After this, the Dutch called them the Pequins,

then the French changed their name to Pequods

and the English changed it to Pequot’s.

When the English showed up on the Quinatucquet and Pequot Rivers,

Sachem Wopigwooit was the leader of the tribe.

After his passing, the people then chose Sasscus as leader,

instead of Uncas who should have rightfully been Sachem,

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, who was Sasscus's son in law, tried to reason

with Sasscus and the people, but they would not listen to him.

So Uncas took all who wished to go with him,

across the Pequot River, to the Cauchegan Village,

gave them back their old name Monheags

and became their Sachem.

TAW-BUT-NI

thank-you to my visitors.

Walkingfox welcome center

For those that are seeking the village of Turtle hill in Connecticut

I must insist

( because as you now know it is the only sacred alter/burial ground left of our family)

on proof that you are related to my family before I send you a map!

Mogandeka

Sachem

Now a word to the children of

Uncas Elementary School

280 Elizabeth Street Extension

Norwich, Connecticut 06360

860.823.4208

Please go to

http://home.earthlink.net/~sachemuncas/id11.html

Half way down the page is an article done

by young students early in the computer age.

AHO!

Sachem Walkingfox

This is one of many

gatherings of the people

In a true Traditional American native Powwow, Gathering

or Pau-paus you will never see their staff’s for sacred reasons.

Grand entry (our church)

Back before first contact we the American Natives from the Eastern woodland tribes had what we called a PAW-PAUS (church).

Because of first contact (threats of assimilation) and the lack of non native understanding our ancestors changed the gathering and the name to Pow-Wow (meaning the wicked ones) which now allowed non natives a look see!

Why is it so hard to understand that Eastern woodland American natives wish for the same respect when it involves our Grand entry and a precious few other dances?

No traditional elder wishes to be mean, we have explained that most of our people attending this entry do so with many sacred medicines and or possessions some believe should not be recorded!

Please come and enjoy a traditional American gathering we, the elders, would love to teach and guide you through-out and will ever enjoy a dance or two with you.

To some native peoples of northeastern North America, a 'powwow' was originally a man with special abilities to cure or offer advice from the spirit world, a wizard, witch, and magician as explained earlier.

Everyone is welcome at Powwows!

At times there is an entry fee to help pay for the drum, electricity, insurance and so on and you will often find a wide variety of American native crafts, trade goods and food for sale; even demonstrations and storytelling as well.

It's a great place for your entire family to spend the day.

Drugs and alcohol are not permitted; pets must be on a leash at all times, like at all Paw-paus some powwows invite pets into a circle because Grandfather is Creator of all!

The spiritual center or heart of a Powwow is THE CIRCLE; a place to be respected and honored, it is a sacred place that is blessed by Creator through a spiritual leader not by any person. The circle is entered only from the East (where there is an opening) and dancers travel in the same direction as the sun.

The singing is a gift and prayer to the Creator; and the drum is the heartbeat of our People. The singers and drummers together are called THE DRUM.

Ceremonies start with a "Grand Entry" of the dancers to pay respects to our Creator and to greet one another. Honoring songs, and dances for veterans and our ancestors and a prayer follows. You will be asked to stand and remove your hat for these ceremonies if you can.

Please don't take photos or videos if you're asked not to do so; and please don't touch the clothing or personal belongings of anyone in American native dress.

Much of what is worn is sacred, expensive and irreplaceable, but do feel free to ask if you want to take individual pictures, or if you have a question about a particular item that someone is wearing.

Most traditional Native People will be pleased to assist you if they're asked first.

You will see many types of dances at a Powwow. When you hear a 'Round Dance' or sometimes it is called a friendship dance announced, EVERYONE will be invited to participate, so proceed to the East door of the circle and join in.

A Round (Friendship) dance is easy to learn and fun to do.

Tobacco gift

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

Any and every time that one wishes to speak with an elder and/or honor an elder

it should be by American native tobacco (Kicnic-kicnic) gift.

How much is enough tobacco to present as a gift?

How much is not as important as how one gives the gift.

First make sure that the tobacco is Kicnic-kicnic, and then

remind the receiver that this gift came from Mother Earth.

Because it did come from Mother Earth it would be nice if it

were wrapped in red, why red?

Red represents women or Mother Earth.

What is American Native Kicnic-kicnic?

Kicnic-kicnic is herbs collected from Mother Earth with prayer

of thanks to Creator and Mother Earth!

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 this elder must contact the Medicine man.

“From the time that the request is made until a name is given by Creator and the spirits of the ancestors will take no less than two moons (two months)”

The traditional way to make a request to receive your American native name is to give a gift of Kicnic-kicnic, as the request is made, to the person you are requesting the name from.

This ceremony as with all Traditional sacred ceremonies should never be performed in public.

You and your family must also plan a meal or "feast" to celebrate after the Naming Ceremony is completed.

The seeking must be done through fasting, meditation, prayer or dreaming so that the spirits give the name, please remember that an American native name is a name of the tribe that you are seeking the name from and is only spoken at prayer to Creator and the ancestors,.

a name like walking with the wolf or standing bear are names spoken around Europeans, if one speaks their American native name in public that person will be shunned by the ancestors!

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.

At a gathering the Elder person burns tobacco as an offering and pronounces the new name to each of the 4 Directions, everyone present repeats the name when it is called out.

The Spirit World then accepts and can recognize the face of the child as a living person.

Creator the Spirit World and ancestors then guard the child and prepare a place for him or her when their life ends.

At the naming ceremony the parents ask for Elders, four men and four women to be sponsors for the child.

The sponsors publicly vow to support and guide the child.

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.

One should NEVER have to pay for any American native gift;

if you do that gift will be void by Creator!

Grand Sachem Chief Walkingfox

A little side note to a visitor from Sachem Walkingfox

The question “what are sponsors in naming ceremonies for native Americans” from the City of Sarnia in Ontario Canada, the sponsors are the elders at the four corners of your Sacred naming ceremony circle that stand in for the person or persons asking Creator for the prayer name.

Please remember if you still have questions ask them.

Tribal 13 moon ceremony.

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 (The 13 moon ceremony).

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.

A 13 should not be confused with women’s moon ceremony

and it shows that a person cannot hand out names to non American natives

in a day for a price as is being done extremely often nowadays

in native country, by phony medicine man!

AHO!

The people of the Turtle.

We the Traditional Eastern Woodland Pequot/Mohegan American native people use a 13 moon or month calendar not the English 12 month because, we were taught that Creator charged Grandfather turtle with the responsibility of caring for we his people.

The Pequot/Mohegan people (tribe) believe Creator sent Grandfather turtle to be our protector so he set the people onto his back. Because we were safely set on turtles back and turtle has 13 sections on its back we use the number 13 for many of our ceremonies.

Like the calendar and the Clan Mother ceremonies.

There are 13 sections on the turtles back.

There are 13 moons in the Mohegan year.

Turtles are also the keepers of time.

1st Moon Maple sugar moon (spring)---Geese return, ice

melts, maple sugar runs.

2nd Moon frogs wake up---rain showers call the

frogs who signal the plants to grow.

3rd Moon Corn planting moon---corn is planted when the

moon is full. It is planted along with beans and

squash. (the three sisters)

4th Moon Strawberry moon---shadbush and dogwood

blossoms. This moon begins the fishing

season.

5th Moon Thunder moon---warm, time for gathering the

first blackberries and corn.

6th Moon of the hot sun---hottest time of the year.

7th Moon Harvest moon---time of the great feasting.

pumpkins are gathered along with

the final corn, beans, and squash.

8th Moon of the falling leaves---leaves turn to bright

colors and begin to fall as the nights become

cooler.

9th Moon Hunting moon---hunting begins.

10th Moon Beaver moon---the approach of winter, time to trap

beaver and smoke meat.

11th Moon Cold moon---rivers begin to freeze and the first

snow arrives, storytelling ceremony time.

12th Moon Wolf moon---long month, very cold nights, wolves

begin to grow very hungry, Mohegan tell stories

in the meeting house (longhouses).

13th Moon Snow

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/

PLEASE REMEMBER THE PAST WARS and

TREAT OUR NEW RETURNING WARRIORS WITH THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE!

Walkingfox is a

Vietnam Veteran

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