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The Narragansett Dawn was a monthly newspaper that discussed the history, culture, language of the Narragansett tribe. It was produced in 1935 and 1936. The founders and editors of the paper were Princess Red Wing and Ernest Hazard. Both were Narragansett.

Sections
The paper was very community oriented and the sections of the paper reflected that. There was a "milestones" section featuring achievements and announcements, a "greetings from friends" section which was similar to letter to the editor, and also a section of lessons. These lessons were about important ideas and morals that older tribal members wanted to teach to younger members. As one reader wrote in the milestones section, The Narragansett Dawn was "designed to perpetuate your traditions of the tribe and pass them on to your children and the children of your people."

Editors
Princess Red Wing was born on March 21, 1986 in Sprague, Connecticut. Her birth name was Mary Congdon. Her mother was Wampanoag and her father was Narragansett. Through her mother, Red Wing is related to prominent Indians in American history such as Simeon Simon (who fought with George Washington) and Metacomet ( or "King Phillip") who led a war against the colonists in the 1670's. She became Squaw Sachem of the New England Council of Chiefs in 1945, a position which allows her to preside over sacred ceremonies and festivals. She was also a prominent storyteller in the Narragansett community, keeping alive the oral traditions of her tribe. Princess Red Wing died in 1987 at the ripe old age of 92.

There is evidence that the tribe has been in their region in Rhode Island for more than 30, 000 years now. Their history is mostly known through cave paintings and oral stories although their first documented history was made when they were found by Giovanni de Verrazano. The tribe was known as a warrior tribe and they often protected the smaller tribes around them.

The Narragansett people are a native tribe located in Rhode Island. Narragansett has been a federally recognized tribe since 1983 and has grown to have nearly 2400 members today, though they have many mixed lineages within their individual family histories. The Narragansett tribe is noted for their production of the first Native American tribal-sponsored magazine to appear in New England. This magazine was titled “The Narragansett Dawn.” Though not pertinent to their writing, the influence of the Narragansett people’s presence in Rhode Island is visible in relation to the once-very-popular beverage Narragansett Beer. This brewing company was established in 1890 and borrowed the Tribe’s name. The Narragansett tribal headquarters is located in Charlestown, Rhode Island.

Sources:

Boissevain, Ethel. "Narragansett Survival: A Study of Group Persistence Through Adapted Traits." Ethnohistory 6.4 (Autumn 1959): 347-362. JSTOR. Web. 22 Mar 2013.

Cech, John. "Princess Red Wing: Many Reasons, Many Thanksgivings." Christian Science Monitor. The Christian Science Monitor. 28 Nov 1980. Web. 22 Mar 2013.

Dove, Dawn. The Pursuit of Happiness: An Indigenous View, the Narragansett People Speak. Exeter, R.I.: Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum, 2005. Print.

Geake, Robert A. A History of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island: Keepers of the Bay. Charleston: The History Press, 2011. Print.

Narragansett Indian Tribe - Official Tribal Page

Poon, Chris. "Princess Red Wing: Preserver of Native American Traditions." Providence Journal. 12 Jul 2003. Web. 22 Mar 2013.

Redwing, Princess and Hazard, Ernest. The Narragansett Dawn. 1935-36. Digital Commons URI. Web. 22 Mar 2013.