Mohegan Indians

ND

The float of the Mohegan Indians, constructed to resemble a Indian village scene, was one of the most attractive at the parade. Over a background of green, hemlock branches were arranged so as to completely cover the motor truck. A sign spelling out Mohegan hung from either side of the truck. A portion of a dome shaped lodge was constructed on the float. Near the entrance two Indian women and a young girl were engaged in various activities, such as preparing corn for the ceremonial food, yokeag; and making bead or silk applique. The women were Loretta Fielding Schultz and Gladys Tantaquidgeon. The young girl was Harriet Tantaquidgeon Strickland. Chief Matahga (Burrill Fielding) and members of his council – Jerome R. Skeesucks, Julian L. Harris and Harold Tantaquidgeon, were seated in a semi–circle before a camp fire and listening intently to the Shaman, or medicine man, E. Lloyd Gray. With but few exceptions, the costumes had been fashioned after the mode of dress adopted by the aborigines upon securing cloth, beads and metals from the traders.One of the braves wore a beautiful headdress in cock's comb effect, which in modern terminology, is known as a roach. The unique headdress was made from a deer's tail. The women on the float, because of their rank wore eagle feathers and one wore a collar of genuine wampum. Both men and women wore face paint in accordance to their rank.

Mohegan
1 page.

DOC.ND00086

Newspaper Clippings

Tribes – Mohegan 1

Schultz, Loretta Fielding
Tantaquidgeon, Gladys
Strickland, Harriet Tantaquidgeon
Chief Matahga
Fielding, Burrill
Skeesucks, Jerome
Harris, Julian L.
Tantaquidgeon, Harold
Gray, E. Lloyd
Uncas
Occum

Mohegan
village
hemlock
parade
lodge
dwelling
food
yokeag
bead
silk
applique
sachem
medicine
costumes
history
aborigines
cloth
traders
bonnet
headdress
roach
heirlooms
eagle
feathers
wampum
paint