Passamaquoddy and Wampanoag

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Passamaquoddy and Wampanoag Tribes
Native Americans are the original people of the United States, with over five hundred tribes recognized in the country. Historically, they serve as an important aspect of US as they provide historical data for a better understanding of the country`s past. Besides, they help determine the origin of the existing practices in the United States. Despite being the original inhabitants in the country, Native Americans population has significantly declined over the years. Most of the remaining population lives in poverty and have been subjected to neglect, discrimination, and violence by non-native Americans. This paper compares and contrasts two of these tribes, namely the Passamaquoddy and Wampanoags.
The Passamaquoddy tribe is a Native American ethnic group who live in the modern day New Brunswick and Maine areas. Their way of life included activities such as hunting and fishing, which were their main source of food (Redish and Lewis). The Passamaquoddy attire consisted of long dresses and skirts for the women, while men wore leggings and breechcloths. In special events such as dances, the tribe would put on headbands with feathers on their heads. Today, most people of the Passamaquoddy tribe live in urban areas and use the English language for communication (Redish and Lewis).
On the other hand, the Wampanoag tribe refers to the indigenous natives of what is today Massachusetts and Rhode Island states. Their pre-colonial culture involved corn, squash, and beans as their staple food, which was cultivated by women (Weinstein 54).

Their shelters were dome-designed huts made of grass and sticks that are referred to as ‘wetus.’ Women in the Wampanoag tribe wore knee-length skirts and had long hair, while the men wore leggings and breechcloths. Notably, both did not wear shirts but put on moccasins on their feet (Weinstein,33). Today, the Wampanoag people recognize themselves as either the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head or the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.
A recent noteworthy mention of the tribe is in the 2017 US Court of Appeal ruling, where it was granted the right to operate a casino on the tribe’s land (Kennedy). Comparing and contrasting the two tribes, there are notable differences and similarities. First, the differences in their clothing, notably the length of skirts worn by women from each ethnic group, distinguish between the two tribes. The second distinction involves their main activities. While the Wampanoag were mostly involved in farming, the Passamaquoddy were known to be fisher folks. Nevertheless, both ethnic groups are located in the same geographical area in the Northeastern part of the country. In conclusion, Native Americans are an important part of US history and should be included in history education.
It is evident that the Passamaquoddy and Wampanoag communities had different ways of living, particularly as regards clothing and shelters. This gives insight into pre-colonial America and, in particular, the original inhabitants of the country. Therefore, the Native Americans’ culture should be preserved for historical education purposes on future generations.
Works Cited
Kennedy, John. “U.S. Appeals Court Rules Soundly For Wampanoag Tribe In Casino Case.” The Vineyard Gazette – Martha’s Vineyard News. N.p., 2017. Web. 18 Sept. 2018.
Redish, Laura, and Orrin Lewis. “Facts for Kids: Passamaquoddy Indians (Passamaquoddys).” Bigorrin.org. N.p., 2015. Web. 18 Sept. 2018.
Weinstein, Laurie Lee. The Wampanoag. Chelsea House, 2014.