Mythologies of the Assateague Tribe

The Assateague (meaning: "swifly moving water") were an Algonquian people speaking the Nanticoke language who historically lived on the Atlantic coast side of the Delmarva Peninsula (known during the colonial period as the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia, and the Lower Counties of Pennsylvania). While there are living people who may have distant heritage from this tribe, the tribe itself no longer exists as a culturally intact tribal community. The Indigenous Assateague culture was based on the maritime and forest resources of the Chincoteague Bay watershed and, among other things, involved the manufacture and trade of shell beads. Historically, the Assateague practiced excarnation as part of their funerary rites. This involved the eventual storing of ancestors' bones on shelves in a log structure. Periodically, the remains were collected and buried in a common grave or ossuary. Several ossuaries have been discovered on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. In 1662, the English colony of Maryland made a treaty with the Assateagues (and the Nanticokes) whereby each colonist given land in the territory of the Assateagues would give the Assateague tribal chief (or "emperor", as he was inaccurately referred to by the colonists) six matchcoats (garments made of a rough blanket or frieze, heavy rough cloth with uncut nap on one side), and one matchcoat for every runaway slave the Assateague returned to their enslaver. The treaty further stated that no murders were to be committed by either side, that no English colonist was to enter Assateague territory without a pass, and that the Assateagues were not to trade with Dutch colonists in Delaware, as long as Maryland could supply their necessities. Of several other treaties signed between the colonial government and the Assateagues before the close of the 17th century, one ordered the Assateagues onto five reservations along the Pocomoke River, and was signed by Amonugus, as Emperor of the "Assateagues". Apparently, based on signatures to a 1678 treaty, the "Emperor of the Assateagues" held a dominant position over the chiefs (or "kings", as subordinate to the "emperor") of the Chincoteague and Pocomoke tribes. Sessions of the Maryland General Assembly during this period record numerous complaints by the Assateague against colonists letting their cattle roam Assateague cornfields, breaking Assateague wild animal traps, cutting their timber, and encroaching on their lands. The Assateagues complained in 1686 that several colonists had even built homes in Assateagues' settlements.

In the beginning the Assateague Indians were friendly, but it was not long before their attitude changed, as European newcomers began to covet the lands. Colonel Edward Scarburgh, one of the first Indian fighters, was obsessed with the desire to rid this Maryland-Virginia area of all Indians at any cost, legally or illegally, and he devised an unfair and vindictive policy in regard to them. Although a Virginian, he served on some Maryland commissions and requested aid of the Maryland authorities in his campaign. When the Maryland officials refused his request, he set up a personal mission hoping to lead 300 footmen and 60 horses in an attack. However, as he noted in one of his report, the Assateagues "were harder to find than to conquer." The Scarburgh campaign was known as the "Seaside War" of 1659. In 1662 Maryland made a treaty with the Assateagues (and the Nanticokes) whereby every white man that took land in Indian territory was to give the Indian emperor six match coats (garments made of a rough blanket or frieze, heavy rough cloth with uncut nap on one side). The emperor was also to receive a match coat for every runaway slave returned. The treaty further stated that no murders were to be committed by either side, that no Englishmen were to enter Indian territory without a pass, and that the Indians were not to trade with the Dutch to the north in Delaware so long as the English could supply their necessities. This did not prevent Colonel Scarburgh from making plans to exterminate them, nor did it give them protection from the roving bands of Indians from the north. Several other treaties were signed between Maryland and the Assateagues before the close of the seventeenth century. One which ordered the Assateagues onto five reservations along the Pocomoke was signed by AMONUGUS, as Emperor of the Assateagues. And from the signatures of the 1678 treaty, it seems that the Emperor of the Assateagues held a dominant position over the Chincoteague king and kings of the Pocomoke River tribes.

Historically known as the Kickotanks or the Great Assateagues (Assateague means “swiftly running water”), these Native Indians called the shores of Maryland and Virginia home until the mid-1700s. Sadly, their population fell dramatically due to disease and the ever-growing number of European settlers in search of land. In an effort to fight back to reclaim their lands and protect their people, the Assateagues gained the unfortunate reputation of being the most warlike of the Shore Indians. As with most American Indian tribes, the concept of “owning land” did not exist. Instead, they believe that the Creator owns Mother Earth and they are her caretakers. Although many of the tribal members perished in the hundreds of years following the settlers’ arrival, some were able to survive by hiding along the swamps, marshes, bay and ocean of the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Living on the Eastern Shore in what today are Wicomico and Worcester counties, Assateagues have settled and assimilated with tribes in Delaware. Today’s tribe is comprised of their descendants, as well as the descendants of other tribes. Tribal pow-wows are unique cultural events where Native Americans of many tribes renew their friendships while honoring and preserving their customs and heritage through music, dance, food, attire, storytelling, arts, crafts, and fellowship. “Drums on the Pocomoke” has been celebrated by the Assateagues since 1995. Centuries ago, the tribe lived and hunted in the area. Tribal members like to call themselves “the first residents of Ocean City,” where Indians gathered clams and oysters long before it became a popular vacation spot! The Grand Entry, any pow-wow’s single most impressive moment, was to begin at noon and would feature dancers from the Assateague People as well as visiting members of other tribes, all dressed in full, colorful Native regalia. To the sound of drums and chanting, then Chief—Larry “Medicine Cat” Smack— and the tribal elders, enter the sacred circle, followed by dancers and other participants playing Native songs, many of which have been handed down through generations. An integral part of this official opening includes inviting veterans, active military members, and first responders who want to honor and respect them, to enter the dance circle to participate in this revered ceremony. Throughout the day, there was much to take in. Different styles of native dance were demonstrated that included Northern and Southern Traditional, Fancy, Jingle and Hoop. Proudly and beautifully performed, each had its own meaning, providing me the opportunity to discover more about these proud and special people. Through meaningful song, dance and storytelling, pow-wows remain instrumental in keeping the Assateague and other tribal group traditions alive. As with their ancestors before them, it is important to remember what it means to be Native and to pass that knowledge on to future generations, teaching them to honor The Great Spirit every day while remembering we are all connected. Other tribal groups living in and around Delmarva include the Nanticoke, Lenape, Accohannock Indian Tribe, Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians, Piscataway Indian Nation, and the Pocomoke Indian Nation.

The 25-foot hand-chiseled totem pole that stands watching over the incoming ships, tourists, and fisherman at Inlet Park in downtown Ocean City was a gift to the State of Maryland. The carving, completed in 1976, represents an Assateague Indian. The Assateague Indians called the shores of Maryland and Virginia home until the mid-1700’s. The Native Americans were generally a friendly tribe, until the European settlers docked their ships off of Assateague’s coast and tried to make the natives give up their land. The Assateauges did not like the idea of giving their land, that was the perfect place for crabbing, hunting, fowling, and fishing, to never-before-seen and unfamiliar men. The land ownership conflicts resulted in the 1662 Maryland Treaty and the disappearance of every tribe member as well as a new European settlement. World-famous artist, Peter Toth, created 50 totem poles – one in each state – to promote unity among all people. The carving of the Assateague Indian was placed in the Inlet Park as a tribute to the Native American Culture that once thrived in Ocean City.

Welcome to the Assateague People of Delmarva's website. We are a tribal group comprised mainly of local people with Native American Indian blood in our heritage. Many believe that there are no longer Native Indians on the Eastern Shore, this is far from the truth. Granted, our Ancestors’ numbers were decimated by a combination of diseases that were unknown to them and by being forced from their homeland by the ever growing number of European settlers in search of land for themselves. Although many perished in the hundreds of years following the settlers’ arrival, some were able to survive by hiding along the swamps, marshes, bay and ocean of the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Historically we were known as the Kickotanks (because of the location of the Kegotank Bay), or the Great Assateagues (Assateague means “swiftly running water” or "place across the water"). After we realized the atrocities brought by the settlers and started fighting back to reclaim our lands and protect our people, we gained the reputation of being the most warlike of the Shore Indians. Unfortunately, it was too late to be able to have a major impact. Native Indians as a whole were very trusting, giving and had no concept of “owning land”. We believe that the Creator owns the land, we are only the caretakers of Mother Earth. As with most overrun cultures, many of us became assimilated into the intruders way of life. It became a growing disgrace to be Native. Our stories and traditions were only spoke about in small, quiet circles since it was illegal for Natives to gather in groups larger than three at a time. We were even altered in the census records. Despite efforts by the invaders to destroy beliefs and traditions, our strong spirited Ancestors were able to pass some of them on to us. We know it is our responsibility to teach the next seven generations and so on to keep our history alive. Because many of our tribal ways have been lost throughout the years we have also adopted some from our plains brethren that are willing to share their traditions. Living in this modern world and trying to stay as traditional as possible is not an easy task. Yes, we live in typical homes, hold jobs, use cell phones and drive vehicles. We use electricity and indoor bathrooms. Our children watch T.V. and play video games. We also understand it is important to remember what it means to be Native and to pass that knowledge on to our young ones. As our Ancestors before us, we try to instill in our children a sense of values that we hold dear. Knowing our place in this natural world and our responsibility to protect and respect all of it. To honor The Great Spirit every day and remember that we are all connected, including all of our brothers and sisters: the two-legged and the four-legged, the winged ones and the finned ones, the crawly ones, the plants and the trees. Mitakuye Oyasin (All my relations).