87613448cfb82fb349a52de5959993d6

Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)

 

HISTORY

Gay Head Cliffs, Aquinnah, Martha's Vineyard, MAThe history of Martha's Vineyard reaches back to a time before the Island was an island - when glaciers scraped over the earth, leaving behind a dramatic display of cliffs, rocks, and ponds. There, it is said, a benevolent being named Moshup roamed the land. One day, Moshup was making his way across the mainland to the headlands of the Aquinnah Cliffs. Weary from his journey, Moshup dragged his foot heavily, leaving a deep track in the mud. At first, only a silver thread of water trickled in the track. But gradually, the ocean's force of wind and tides broadened and deepened the opening, creating an island named Noepe.
The Wampanoag were the first people of Noepe. For thousands of years these People of the First Light have been partners with Noepe. From the fishing shores to the inland woodlands, from the sand plains to the glacial ponds, the Island has provided for its people. And the Wampanoag have given back through wise stewardship of the land and sea.
 
Wampanoag Environmental Laboratory,Herring Creek
 
 
Aquinnah was at different times in history referred to as a "praying town," an Indian District, and an incorporated town. Throughout it all The Wampanoag remain a sovereign tribe. Most Martha’s Vineyard town names along with areas across the island maintain at lest a variation of their historic Wampanoag names. Following is a sampling and a Wampanoag Way An Aquinnah Cultural Trail has a complete list as well as a Wampanoag cultural tour of the island.
Also History and current information at  The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head .
 
 

WAMPANOAG PLACE NAMES ON NOEPE

  • Nunne-Pog (Edgartown)
  • Nobnocket (Tisbury)
  • Ogkeshkuppe (Oak Bluffs
  • Aquinnah (formerly known as Gay Head)
  • The shore or end of the island
  • Nashawahkamuk: (Chilmark) Between the land (common land for hunting)
  • Taakemmy (West Tisbury): Where he or she strikes it (corn processing place)
  • Winnetukqet (Edgartown Great Pond)Wampanoag Wa;y An Aquinnah Cultural Trail
  • Manitouwattootan (Christiantown)
  • Capawack: The separate people
  • Kehtashimet (Lake Tashmoo in Vineyard Haven):Place of a great spring
  • Kuppiauk (Area of Tisbury Great Pond):Heavily-wooded expanse of land
  • Kuppiegon (Cape Higgon): A good enclosure for shelter/thicket
  • Manitouwatootan (Christiantown): God's town
  • Mashatanauke (in the vicinity of Old South Road): Big town (main settlement)
  • Massapootoeauke (near Quansoo):Land of great blowing (whales)
  • Msquepunauket (Squibnocket): At the place of the red cliff or bank
  • Nashaquitsa (between Menemsha and Squibnocket Ponds): At the little divided island
  • Noepe (the island of Martha's Vineyard): Dry land
  • Nunnepog: A pond (body of unsalted water); literally means "when there is water there"
  • Paquahauke (near Sengekontacket Pond): Quohaug land
  • Sakunket (end of Long Cove, Tisbury Great Pond): Skunk place
  • Sanchiacantacket (Sengekontacket): Place where the brook flows into the river 
  • Sequinauk (north of Sengekontacket): Early summer land (perhaps a summer village place)
  • Squibnocket: at the place of the red cliff or bank
  • Tchepiaquidenet (Chappaquiddick): Place of separate island
  • Wampanoag: People of the First Light
  • Waskosim (North Road): New stone
  • Wawitukq (Menemsha Creek before being made into a channel): Winding, twisting river
  • Winnetukqet (Edgartown Great Pond): Place of good river

 

While on Martha’s Vineyard why not a visit to the Wampanoag Cultural Center
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) 20 Black Brook Road, Aquinnah, MA 02535-1546
Phone: (508) 645 9265    Fax: (508) 645-3790    Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm