Mohicans

The Mohican people, also known as the Mahican or Muhheconneok, are an Algonquian-speaking Native American tribe historically residing in the Hudson River Valley of New York. Their traditional territory encompassed the area from the confluence of the Hudson and Hoosic Rivers southward to the Catskill Mountains. They were known for their strong social structure and their significant role in regional trade and politics during the colonial era.

The Mohican language is part of the Eastern Algonquian branch. Their society was organized into clans, and they were known for their villages, often fortified, and their reliance on hunting, fishing, and agriculture. They were a prominent tribe in the early contact period with Europeans, particularly the Dutch and later the English.

Their history is marked by interactions, alliances, and conflicts with neighboring tribes and European powers. The arrival of European settlers led to significant disruption of their way of life, including displacement and disease. Many Mohican people eventually migrated westward, primarily to Wisconsin, where the Stockbridge-Munsee Community now resides. Other descendants of the Mohican people also live in Canada and scattered communities. Their cultural heritage continues to be preserved and celebrated by their descendants.