•Eastern Woodlands

By: Brooks, Alyssa, Jacob, Whitney

Mohegan People• The Eastern Woodlands lived in Eastern

Canada. Mohegan's lived in houses called wigwams that can hold up to 2 families. In the winter, they had small fires in the wigwams to stay warm.

Mohegan location• Originally a part of the Pequot, the Mohegan

came from the upper Hudson River Valley in New York near Lake Champlain. Sometimes around 1500, both tribes left this area and moved to the Thames River Valley in southeastern Connecticut. The Mohegan called their homeland Moheganeak and occupied the upper and western portions of the Thames Valley, while the Pequot lived closer to the coast.

Mohegan languageMohegan Indians all speak English today. In the

past, the Mohegan, Pequot, Montauk, and Niantic spoke the Mohegan language. The Narragansett and Nipmuc spoke the Narragansett language. These two languages may have been similar enough for the different Mohegan tribes to understand each other, or they might need interpreters. No one has spoken either language since 1900, so its hard to know for sure.

Mohegan Chiefs• Uncas- A Mohegan chief, son of Owenoco, who in 1626

married a daughter of Sassacus, chief of the Pequot, and became one of the leaders.

• He was known also as Poquim or Poquoiam. A rebellion against Sassacus led to his defeat and banishment, were upon he fled to the Narraganset, but soon made his and returned. This conduct was repeated several times. He warred against the Pequot, Narraganset, and other tribes. After taking prisoner Miantonomo he executed him at command of the English. He sided with the English in King Philip’s war in 1675.

Mohegan Food• The Mohegan's were farming people.

Mohegan women harvested corn, squash, and beans and also gathered nuts and fruit to eat. Mohegan men did most of the hunting. They shot deer, turkey, and small game, and went fishing on the coast. Mohegan Indian recipes included soup, cornbread, and stew.

Mohegan Homes• The Mohegan's didn’t live in teepees. They

lived in small round houses called wigwams. Today, Native Americans only build a wigwam for fun or to connect with their heritage, not for shelter. Most Mohegan's live in modern houses and apartment building, just like us.

How Mohegan Children Live

• The Mohegan children do the same things that we do here- they play with each other, go to school, and help around the house. In the past, Indian kids had more chores and less time to play, just like early colonial children. But they did have corn shuck dolls, ball games and toys such as kid-size bows and arrows.

The Men and Women’s Role

• The men were hunters and sometimes went to war to protect their family’s. Mohegan women were farmers and also did most of the child care and cooking. Both genders took part in storytelling, artwork, music, and traditional medicine. In the past, Mohegan's chiefs were always men, but today a Mohegan Indian women could be chief too.

Weapons the Mohegan's used• Mohegan hunters and warriors used bows

and arrows, spears, and clubs. Fisher men used pronged spears, nets, and bone hooks.

What the Mohegan tribe wore

• At first, clothing and hairstyles were slightly different in each tribe. Mohegan Indians could even tell each other apart by their dress. In general, Mohegan women wore knee-length skirts and the men wore breechcloth and leggings. Shirts were not necessary in Mohegan cultures, but Mohegan men and women both wore earrings and moccasins on their feet.

The green corn ceremonials

• In august the men returned to their villages for the green corn ceremonials and to assist the women in the harvest.

What Mohegan means• It’s pronounced “Mo-HEE-

gun.” It comes from the Mohegan word mohiingan, which means wolf.•

Mohegan means wolf!!!!!

Where Mohegan people live today

• There are Mohegan/pequot Indian bands in Connecticut, a Shinnecock Indian band on Long Island, and a Narragansett band in Rhode Island. Most of the people in these bands have mixed Indian heritage due to the merging of the Mohegan tribes in early American history. Other people with Mohegan Indian heritage in communities throughout New England and New York.

Question• What kind of homes did they live in? A. Teepees B. Longhouses C. Wigwams

• What does Mohegan mean?

• A. Wolf B. Bear C. Pig

• What did the Mohegan women wear?

• A. skirts B. leggings C. Moccasins D. All of the above

Answers

C. Wigwams A. Wolf D. All of the above