Lenape vs. Narragansett: Who Lived in Rhode Island?

The Lenape (Delaware) did not live in Rhode Island. Their homeland (Lenapehoking) centered on the Delaware River Valley—New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, southern New York, northern Delaware.

Rhode Island's Indigenous Nations

• Narragansett: Dominant tribe. Territory: most of present-day RI (except Block Island). Algonquian, agricultural (corn/beans/squash), wampum producers, powerful confederacy.
• Niantic: Eastern RI/Western CT coast. Closely allied with Narragansett.
• Wampanoag: East Bay (Bristol, Warren, Tiverton) + SE MA. Massasoit's alliance with Plymouth.
• Pequot/Mohegan: Western RI/CT border. Conflict with Narragansett + English (Pequot War 1636–38).

Intertribal Relations

• Narragansett-Wampanoag: Trade, intermarriage, rivalry over territory.
• Narragansett-Pequot: Enemies; Narragansett allied with English in Pequot War.
• Narragansett-English: Roger Williams (1636) bought Providence land; initially cooperative. Deteriorated → King Philip's War (1675–76) devastated Narragansett (Great Swamp Fight).

Lenape Connections

Lenape interacted with southern New England tribes via trade paths (wampum, furs) and multi-tribal councils. Some Lenape relocated to Stockbridge (MA) and later Wisconsin/Oklahoma. No historic Lenape communities in RI.