Who Are the Mohegan?
The Mohegan are an Algonquian-speaking people of southeastern Connecticut, with approximately 2,400 enrolled members in the Mohegan Tribe (federally recognized 1994). Their name means "Wolf People." They speak Mohegan-Pequot, an Algonquian language no longer spoken as a first language. Not to be confused with the Mahican/Mohican of New York, the Mohegan separated from the Pequot in the 1630s under Uncas, who allied with English colonists against the Pequot. This alliance, controversial then and now, enabled Mohegan survival through colonial wars. Today the Mohegan operate the Mohegan Sun casino, one of the world's largest entertainment complexes.
Uncas and Alliance
Uncas, sachem of the Mohegan in the 1630s, made a fateful decision: alliance with English colonists against his former people, the Pequot. This alliance—maintained through the Pequot War, King Philip's War, and beyond—preserved Mohegan existence when many New England tribes were destroyed. Uncas is a controversial figure: to colonists, a faithful ally; to some Native people, a collaborator. The reality is complex—Uncas navigated impossible circumstances, choosing a path that ensured Mohegan survival. His descendants maintained the reservation through centuries when other tribes disappeared.
Land Case
The Mohegan fought one of the longest legal battles in history over their lands. When Connecticut violated the 1790 Trade and Intercourse Act by taking Mohegan land without federal approval, the tribe sued. The case, begun in the 1970s, went through multiple courts. Though ultimately unsuccessful (2005), the litigation demonstrated Mohegan determination to reclaim stolen territory. Federal recognition (1994), achieved through a separate process, enabled gaming that provided alternative economic foundation. The land case reminded Connecticut that colonial land seizures had never been legally resolved.
Contemporary Mohegan
Modern Mohegan have achieved remarkable prosperity. Mohegan Sun, opened in 1996, is one of the largest casinos in the Western Hemisphere, employing over 9,000 people. Revenue supports tribal programs, community services, and cultural preservation. The Mohegan operate an arena hosting major concerts and sporting events. Cultural programs maintain traditions; the annual Wigwam Festival celebrates heritage. Language documentation preserves Mohegan-Pequot. Unlike some gaming tribes, the Mohegan have maintained community cohesion despite rapid wealth. How they sustain cultural identity while operating a major entertainment enterprise shapes this wolf people's contemporary story.
References
- Oberg, M. L. (2003). Uncas: First of the Mohegans
- Fawcett, M. (2000). Medicine Trail: The Life and Lessons of Gladys Tantaquidgeon
- Mohegan Tribe. (2020). Cultural and Community Programs