Talk:Nipmuc Nation

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Recognition

It may be hard to prove a negative; however, the Nipmuc Nation is not a state-recognized tribe. These sources can all be consulted:

Icecube77 (talk) 01:14, 16 September 2021 (UTC)Icecube77[reply]

The Nipmuc Nation is listed as being state-recognized on the NCSL website and the NAISA website, too. Yuchitown (talk) 22:18, 31 August 2022 (UTC)Yuchitown[reply]

NCSL link is dead, however I cannot find anything from the MA gov about their recognition as a tribe, other than the fact that one of the members is on the MA Comission on Indian Affairs. It seems that the state does "officially" recognize the Nipmuc Nation in a legal sense, according to the minutes of Feb of 2022 https://www.mass.gov/doc/minutes-of-meeting-february-7-2022/download - "Ms. Wheaton said that her concern is that the Aquinnah Wampanoag, Mashpee Wampanoag, and Nipmuc already have a relationship with the state of Massachusetts – they are extremely established. No tribe should have to seek recognition unless it is some other tribes that came out of the blue that hasn’t had recognition before. Jim said state recognition is to clarify the status of those who had praying towns, to rectify their status so they can have a relationship with the state." LegalSmeagolian (talk) 17:24, 7 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]

The recognition was through Executive Order No. 126 by Gov. Michael Dukakis, but it could be legitimately asked: Is this entity in this article the same entity mentioned in the order? The text only says: WHEREAS, the Tribal Councils of the Nipmuc, Mashpee and the Gay Head Wampanoag Tribes are the recognized governing bodies, respectively, of the Nipmuc Tribe, the Mashpee Tribe, and the Gay Head Wampanoag Tribe, and exercise substantial governmental functions. Honestly, from the various minutes of the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs, it appears that they do not know or unwilling to state the status of all the various groups in the state identifying as Native tribes. Yuchitown (talk) 17:37, 7 February 2023 (UTC)Yuchitown[reply]

Thanks for being so quick on that citation. It seems, according to the Nipmuc Nation's website that the band referenced in the order may fall under the page of Hassanamisco Nipmuc, so perhaps these should be merged? LegalSmeagolian (talk) 17:42, 7 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]

I honestly don't know what to do with the various Nipmuc articles. I've been meaning to read Petitioner #069A: Nipmuc Nation, Hassanamisco Band, MA and Petitioner #069B: Webster/Dudley Band of Chaubunagungamaug Nipmuck Indians, MA to better understand who's who, but haven't gotten there yet. Yuchitown (talk) 18:47, 7 February 2023 (UTC)Yuchitown[reply]