ABSTRACT
Many members of Native American tribes in Southern New England do not fit the stereotypical image that many people have of Native Americans, that of “red-skinned” people, with black hair and high cheek bones. Native Americans in this area are often accused of being White, Black, and not Indians. In reference to the Mashantucket Pequots, Donald Trump has been quoted as saying that “They don’t look like Indians to me,” inferring that this tribe resembles African Americans, not Native Americans. Their appearance, as well as the loss of some cultural knowledge, has led people to question whether Native Americans in Southern New England are “authentic” Indians. Through an analysis of social gatherings, such as pow wows and socials, interviews, and information gathered from participant observation, this chapter intends to document the methods used by Native Americans in Southern New England to construct, maintain, and negotiate their identity—an identity constantly challenged for its validity.
