After returning from my studies of the Pueblo reservations of New Mexico this summer, I created a Social Studies unit that would allow students to compare and contrast the tribes of the Northeast and the Southwest. For the Northeast portion, our study is focused on Connecticut. There are five main tribes in Connecticut: The federally recognized tribes are the Nashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribe, while the state-recognized tribes include the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation, the Golden Hill Paugussett Tribal Nation, and the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation.   The Golden Hill Paugussett has two reservations. One is located in Colchester, CT and has 106 acres of property. One hundred people currently live on that reservation. The second is located locally, in Trumbull, CT. This reservation is 1/4 acres in size and considered the smallest reservation in the country and the oldest reservation in Connecticut.

This week the Third & Fourth Graders had a chance to visit this small but mighty reservation, and meet Clan Mother and Tribal Head Leader of the Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe, Shoran Waupatukuay Piper. She kindly guided us around the grounds and welcomed us into her home. Students had a chance to see the perimeter of the log house and hear how native plants are used for medicine, food, salves, and teas. Inside, she shared ceremonial items like the drum, tools made from antlers & hooves, arrows and photographs of her ancestors and fellow clan members.

Finally, our students presented her with a stuffed Unquowa Gator as a small token of our appreciation for welcoming us into her home. This was especially meaningful as Unquowa School takes its name from the Quiripi language, which is an Eastern Algonquin language spoken by the Paugussett tribe. It is generally believed to mean “the place where the bear crosses”. The word likely refers to a specific geographic feature, such as a stream, trail or brook where bears were known to cross regularly. It may also carry symbolic meaning as the bear was an important animal within the tribe. It was associated with strength, medicine, and the spirit world.