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JUNE 25, 2001

The New London Day plays armchair sociologist and anthropologist as reporter Eileen McNamara analyzes the transcripts of interviews made with members of Connecticut tribes.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted interviews with members of the Eastern Pequot Tribe and the Paucatuck Eastern Pequot Tribe to help evaluate the two tribes' bid for federal recognition. The two each received preliminary recognition last year but may, in fact, be separate factions of the same tribe.

As with all tribes, Pequot tribal members have married across racial lines. Eastern tribal members, however, are viewed as "black" while the Paucatucks are viewed as "white." The difference is raised by a number of interview subjects.

Members of the Mohegan Tribe and the Schagticoke Tribal Nation, state-recognized, were also interviewed. Subjects say the Paucatucks are the true Eastern Pequot descendants.

Get the Story:
Race Matters (The New London Day 6/24)