Before European colonization, the area we know as Eastham and the surrounding villages, including Chatham and Truro, were called Nauset, one of 69 villages of the historic Wampanoag Nation. Then in 1620, Pilgrims arrived to Nauset and pilfered the graves and food stores of the Wampanoag community that lived there. What ensued was a conflict between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag which caused the Pilgrims to leave the area and head up to what is now known as Plymouth. This event has come to be known as 'The First Encounter.' Today, 400 years later, tribal youth Alyssa Harris and Nathan Mills discuss what life was like before Pilgrims arrived to these shores in a series of YouTube videos.
The videos may be watched below.
Wampanoag Youth Reflect on History and Current Events
Sunset Series Episode 11 Mashpee Wampanoag students Alyssa Harris and Nathan Mills share the challenges and realities of living on Cape Cod as a Native Ameri...
Wampanoag Reflections: Language and Plimoth Plantation
Sunset Series Episode 40 Mashpee Wampanoag Alyssa Harris discusses the revival of the Wampanoag language and her experiences working at Plimouth Plantation i...
Wampanoag Regalia and Family Structure
Sunset Series Episode 41 Mashpee Wampanoag Alyssa Harris discusses traditional regalia and family structure in Wampanoag communities in an interview with Sun...
Wampanoag Lifestyle and Daily Life
Sunset Series Episode 52 Mashpee Wampanoag Alyssa Harris discusses traditional Wampanoag way of life including daily schedules, marriage, mealtimes, and illn...
Wampanoag Art and Appearances
Sunset Series Episode 53 Mashpee Wampanoag Alyssa Harris discusses Wampanoag art, changes in physical appearance, and the changing appearance of the land ove...
