A Pernicious Influence: The Pioneering Act of Detribalization in Rogue Island

In many ways, Rhode Island is synonymous with obstinance. Rogue Islanders—the derisive nickname given to the fledgling settlement by the leaders of New England’s more orthodox colonies—were the first to establish religious freedom, outlaw slavery, and renounce their allegiance to the English crown. Rhode Island was also the last of the original thirteen colonies to sign the U.S. Constitution two years after the new government was already in operation. However, located within this proud history of firsts and lasts is the little-known fact that Rhode Island served as a pioneer in creating the processes by which Euro-Americans sought to dispossess and disappear Indigenous Nations. This talk examines the conditions and choices that abetted Rhode Island’s effort to detribalize the Narragansett Nation in 1880.Simmons Center Visiting Assistant Professor of Slavery and Justice Mack Scott is a historian, educator, and member of the Narragansett Indian Tribe. His work focuses on the intersections of race and identity and employs agency as a lens through which to view and understand the voices, stories, and perspectives of traditionally marginalized peoples. He is currently working on a project that traces the history and experiences of the Narragansett Nation into the modern era.Lunch provided with RSVP.