The Narragansett Tribe has seen ups and downs in its relationship with the state of Rhode Island but a proposed plaque to founder Roger Williams should focus on the positive, historic preservation officer John Brown says.

The tribe welcomed Williams after he was banished from Massachusetts. He founded the Providence colony on tribal land in 1636.

"The tribe’s history should start from a point of strength, not weakness," Brown told The Providence Journal.

Brown acknowledged that the relationship with European colonists turned sour during the Pequot War and King Philip’s War. But he said the proposed plaque shouldn't make references to Indians who were sold into slavery after the wars.

"If there were ups and downs in that relationship, we will talk about that later," Brown told the paper.

A committee with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation is working on the plaque, which is to be located at Williams' statue in Providence.

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Narragansett Indians official against Roger Williams plaque (The Providence Journal 3/22)