Brown University transfers ancestral land to Pokanoket tribe

In a significant move towards reconciliation, Brown University, located in the United States, transferred 255 acres of its land in Bristol, Rhode Island, to a preservation trust established by the Pokanoket Indian Tribe. This historical land is recognized as the ancestral home of Metacom, also known as King Philip, the leader of the Pokanoket people, and holds substantial cultural importance. The transfer, formally completed last month, allows access to the land for tribes and Native peoples in the region, a passionate request that has been long-standing. The initiative is part of a broader acknowledgment of historical wrongs involving land ownership in the area. The land transfer follows years of activism from the Pokanoket Tribe, which has consistently asserted that the land was taken illegally centuries ago. In August 2017, members of the tribe and their supporters set up an encampment at Brown University, insisting that the university acknowledge its historical ties to the land. This act aimed to reclaim their ancestral home that contains significant spiritually meaningful sites. The university later acknowledged that the land indeed belonged historically to the Pokanoket, which led to an agreement for its return. Brown University's Mount Hope property, encompassing 375 acres, was donated to the institution in 1955, and has become home to the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology. The recent transfer of the land partially fulfills an agreement made following the 2017 encampment. As part of the transfer process, Brown University commissioned the Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc., to assess the land's cultural significance. Their evaluation recommended that the 255 acres be classified as a traditional cultural property, reflecting its extensive importance to the Pokanoket Nation. The remnants of King Philip's War, a violent conflict between Native tribes and European settlers in the 17th century, further emphasize the land's historical relevance. The land is also noted as the site of Metacom's death in 1676, adding another layer of significance to the area. This ownership transfer not only recognizes the historical ties of the Pokanoket to the land but also allows sustainable access for various tribal members connected to the Pokanoket Nation. In their statements, tribal leaders have expressed the profound significance this transfer holds, declaring it a historical moment of reclaiming their heritage.