Naturalist’s Corner – Native American Heritage Month!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to find your own food and use natural resources to make everyday items? For thousands of years, the Wampanoag people in this region did just that. During the winter months, the Wampanoag people lived further inland to avoid the harsh coastal weather. Here they hunted for geese, ducks, turkeys, deer, bears, and moose. During the summer months, the Wampanoag people would move to coastal areas, like present-day Wareham. They would hunt for rabbits and raccoons, and fish for cod, herring, seals, and even whales. Some of the walking trails that the Wampanoag people used during hunting seasons have been converted into paved roads that we use today.

In traditional hunting practices, in order to prevent waste, all parts of the animal were used to make everyday items. Animal bones and stones were used to make arrowheads, and threaded deerskin was used to make bowstrings for bowhunting. Knives were also made from animal bones and stones. Quahog shells were used to create wampum beads for belts; feathers were used to craft headbands; and deerskins were used to fashion clothing items. The Wampanoag people have respect for all living things, including the spirits of the animals they hunt. Traditionally, they used every part of the animal out of gratitude for what it provided to them. Whether you hunt or observe animals in the wild, take a minute to reflect on your relationship to the environment, and give thanks for all that it provides to the community.

For more information on the Wampanoag people, visit https://mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov/.

To learn more about Wareham Land Trust properties that border these waterways, visit our website http://warehamlandtrust.org/properties/