Narragansett Nation
The Narragansett Indian Tribe is a federally recognized Indian tribe that has lived in the area of present-day Rhode Island for thousands of years. The tribe is descended from the Algonquian-speaking people of the Wampanoag Confederacy.
The tribe was first encountered by Europeans in the early 1600s and soon became a major trading partner with the English settlers. The Narragansett were an important ally of the English during the Pequot War of 1636-1638.
In 1675, the Narragansett were drawn into King Philip’s War, a conflict between the English settlers and the Wampanoag leader Metacom. The Narragansett were defeated by the English and their traditional lands were taken away.
In the 19th century, the Narragansett were among the first Native American tribes to be recognized by the United States government. In 1983, the Narragansett Indian Tribe was officially recognized by the federal government and given sovereignty over their tribal lands.
Today, the Narragansett Indian Tribe is a thriving community of over 3,000 members and is dedicated to preserving and promoting their culture, language, and traditions.