Native American tribes in Massachusetts are theNative American tribes and their reservations that existed historically and those that still exist today in what is now theCommonwealth of Massachusetts. ANarragansett term for this region isNinnimissinuok.[1]
Massachusetts has twofederally recognized tribes. They have met the seven criteria of an American Indian tribe: being an American Indian entity since at least 1900, a predominant part of the group forms a distinct community and has done so throughout history into the present; holding political influence over its members, having governing documents including membership criteria, members having ancestral descent from historic American Indian tribes, not being members of other existingfederally recognized tribes, and not being previouslyterminated by the U.S. Congress.[2]
State-recognized tribes do not have government-to-government relationships with theUnited States federal government, but they do have a relationship with the state. Massachusetts has two state-recognized tribes, acknowledged through executive orders by governors.
These are two federalIndian Reservations in Massachusetts.
There are also two historical state reservations connected to theNipmuc people.
These are some of the tribes that have existed in what is now Massachusetts. Most no longer exist as functioning American Indian tribes within the state; however, some are tribes in other states or in Canada.
More than20 organizations claim to represent historic tribes within Massachusetts; however, these groups areunrecognized, meaning they do not meet the minimum criteria of a federally recognized tribe[3] or a state-recognized tribe.[12]
