Searching for Connecticut Indians

Indian Sites Struggle In Shadow Of CasinosIn the small museum, the statue of the diminutive Tantaquidgeon, who died in 2005 at age 106, stands near a portrait of Uncas, the 17th-century Mohegan sachem from whom she is descended. Her brother, the late Chief Harold Tantaquidgeon, painted the portrait. Family photographs hang over countless mementos of Gladys' travels throughout Indian Country during the 1930s and '40s.

"I think she's probably happier here," said tribal member Jason LaVigne, who oversees the place. Tens of thousands of people visit Mohegan Sun daily. Yet just 140, excluding school trips, passed through here from May through July. Some, particularly the Europeans, come seeking an "authentic" Indian site, LaVigne said. But most are local people who came here as children, often with Scout troops, and now want to relive the experience with their own kids.And:Across the street, residents of a trailer park for tribal members said they often encounter people searching for "real" Indians, having failed to find—or at least recognize—any at the casinos.

Garrett Kirwan, also descended from Uncas, said if you want to talk to an Indian, the last place to look is Foxwoods, owned by the Mashantucket Pequots, or the Sun. He is happy to talk, and to debunk stereotypes such as that all "casino Indians" are rich. That's true only of the leaders, he said.Comment:  For more on the subject, see The Facts About Indian Gaming.