Synopsis
A History of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island: Keepers of the Bay by Robert A. Geake is a comprehensive exploration of the Narragansett people's enduring presence and resilience in the region that became Rhode Island, spanning from prehistoric times through early European contact to their modern-day reclamation of sovereignty. The book opens with the deep-rooted indigenous history of the Narragansett, whose oral traditions speak of inhabiting the land "since time out of mind," supported by anthropological evidence dating back as far as 30,000 years. Before the arrival of Europeans, the Narragansett thrived as skilled stewards of their environment, farming corn and squash, hunting beaver and deer, harvesting clams and oysters from the abundant coastal waters, and crafting wampum from shells as a form of currency and cultural artifact that held significant economic and diplomatic value along the eastern seaboard. Geake vividly describes their matrilineal society, governed by sachems who emphasized communal harmony and spiritual connection to the land, portraying them as true "keepers of the bay" whose sustainable practices sustained a population of thousands across villages connected by a network of waterways and trails.
As European explorers and settlers encroached upon Narragansett territory in the early 17th century, the book details the tribe's initial encounters, beginning with Giovanni da Verrazzano's brief sighting in 1524 and evolving into more sustained interactions with figures like Roger Williams, the founder of Providence, whom elder sachem Canonicus welcomed in 1636 despite underlying tensions. Geake highlights the Narragansett's diplomatic acumen in navigating alliances and conflicts, such as their neutrality during the Pequot War and their production of wampum that became integral to colonial trade. However, rising English ambitions for land and resources led to escalating hostilities, culminating in King Philip's War (1675–1676), a devastating conflict where the Narragansett, under sachem Metacom's alliance, suffered immense losses, including the massacre at the Great Swamp. The narrative then traces the tribe's post-war struggles, including forced land cessions, intermarriage with African Americans and other groups leading to the state's denial of their "pure blood" status, and the 1880 Narragansett Indian Land Management Act that dissolved their tribal government and redistributed their remaining reservation lands to non-Native buyers, effectively erasing their legal recognition until the 20th century.
Geake's account does not shy away from the profound impacts of colonization, such as disease epidemics that decimated up to 90 percent of the population, the imposition of Christianity that clashed with traditional spirituality, and economic marginalization through indentured servitude and slavery, where some Narragansett were bound in "chains of iron and paper." Yet, the book emphasizes the tribe's unyielding resistance and adaptation, from sachem Miantonomo's executed efforts to unite Algonquian nations against English dominance to the 19th-century activism that preserved cultural practices through family networks and hidden communities. In the modern era, Geake chronicles the Narragansett's triumphant resurgence, including the establishment of the Narragansett Indian Tribal Nation in 1978, their successful federal acknowledgment, legal battles to reclaim ancestral lands like the Charlestown reservation, and ongoing efforts to protect sacred sites and promote cultural revitalization through education, language preservation, and environmental stewardship. Dedicated to Geake's brother-in-law, a Narragansett elder, the memoir weaves personal anecdotes with rigorous historical analysis, drawing on primary sources, tribal records, and archaeological findings to offer a balanced, empathetic portrait of a people whose history is inseparable from the story of Rhode Island itself.
Throughout, Geake critiques the colonial narratives that marginalized the Narragansett, underscoring their role as original diplomats and environmental guardians whose legacy endures in place names, traditions, and the fight for sovereignty. While praised for its accessibility and insight into lesser-known aspects of Native New England history, the book has faced some criticism from tribal members for occasional inaccuracies in genealogy and details of internal affairs, reflecting the challenges of non-Native authorship in interpreting indigenous stories. Nonetheless, Keepers of the Bay stands as an essential read for understanding the Narragansett's journey from pre-colonial prosperity through centuries of adversity to contemporary empowerment, celebrating their unbreakable bond with the land and waters they have long protected.