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The Clans |
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Phone (508) 446-7045 Fax: Call for Fax Number Office E-mail: Info@pokanoket.org Webmaster E-mail: Pineese@pokanoket.org
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Please Note: In some groups of American Indians the term “clan” denotes a familial relationship. Amongst the Pokanoket, the term identifies the occupation of an individual or group.
These clans apply to our lives today. Many people can see themselves within the context of these clans. Of these 5 predominant clans, which clan would you be in?
Bear Clan —Medicine—When a child was little, if he liked wildflowers and weeds to pick and take home to mothers, the mothers would teach them about every flower, tree, berry, fruit , and root. Those children would grown up in the BEAR clan. They would become healers of the tribe.
Deer Clan —Providers—If a boy was seen playing at shooting arrows at imaginary targets and pretending to be a hunter, or a girl was busy lending a helping hand at gardening and cooking, etc…, they were put into the DEER clan and taught to be good providers.
Snipe Clan —Builders—The Snipe was an industrious bird inhabiting marshlands where it was constantly busy gathering sticks for nest building. If a child was busy gathering supplies to construct things they were thought to be suited as a builder and were put into the SNIPE clan.
Turtle Clan —Wisdom and Knowledge of the people—If a child was quiet and meditative, asking questions of parents and elders concerning the world, life, and personal relationships, they were put into the TURTLE clan where they would be trained to become a powwas or spiritual leader.
Wolf Clan —Leadership and Education— When parents and elders of the tribe observed a child who seemed to take the initiative to be the pacemaker, pace-setter, forerunner or conductor, they were put into the WOLF clan where they were taught the ways of leadership and education. |
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The Council of Seven/Royal House of Pokanoket/Pokanoket Tribe/Wampanoag Nation |
