Long before South Windsor officially was named “South Windsor,” the Native American group known as the Podunk tribe — also referred to as the Nowaas or Nowass tribe — settled along the Podunk River in what is now South Windsor, CT.
“Podunk” refers to both the Podunk people and marshy or low-lying areas. The Podunk people are an Indigenous group of the Connecticut River Valley, and the term “Podunk” can be used to describe a small, unremarkable town over time.
Two major rivers shaped Podunk and other Indigenous groups’ lives: the Podunk River and the larger Connecticut River system. These waterways were essential for fishing, agriculture, travel, and eventually industry. Their seasonal flooding deposited nutrient-rich soil along the banks, creating one of the most fertile agricultural regions in this part of New England.
Fishing played a major role in seasonal festivals and social gatherings. Shad, salmon, and other fish species were harvested during warm months, while fertile soil from spring floods allowed the planting of large cornfields close to the riverbanks. In colonial and later periods, these same rivers powered grist mills, an essential step in processing agricultural products.
“Current archeological evidence illustrates the fact that the Algonquian people who inhabited this region managed the landscape in notable ways,” Nowashe Village Office Admin Cherish said. “Indigenous people in this region practiced both silviculture and agriculture by the time European settlers arrived.”
Encouraging particular kinds of trees to grow is silviculture. These trees included nut and sap bearing ones such as chestnut, hickory, and maple. This managed forest system was what provided long-term food resources without destroying the surrounding ecosystem for the tribe.
The rivers also served as major transportation routes. One example is the “Great Trail” from Boston to Hartford, which allowed the ease for camping, travel, and the access to resources.
“In South Windsor it is important that we recognize the indigenous people that were here before the English settlers arrived,” said Cherish. “A lot of South Windsor’s agriculture was learned from the Native Americans.”
A student went on a field trip to Nowashe Village and learned something about Native Americans.
“I learned how Native Americans lived their life and built shelters and made food,” fourth grader Madeline Quinn said.
The Podunks farmed the rich meadow soils and hunted in the forests long before European settlement. They grew beans, corn, pumpkins, squash, and sunflowers while using bows, arrows, and spears to hunt deer, turkey, and other small mammals.
However, English settlers, such as Thomas Burnham, began purchasing large portions of lands from the Podunk leaders in the mid-1600s. The purchasing of the land did not favor the Podunks. They also were confined in smaller areas and were restricted in where they could live because of colonial laws. This limited their traditional use of the landscape.
Some specific local names in South Windsor that have Native American origins or connections are the “Podunk Path,” “Nowashe,” and the “Scantic River.” The “Podunk Path” is a Native American trail that runs along South Windsor’s Main Street. “Nowashe” means the “Place between Two Rivers.”
The “Scantic River” flows through East Windsor and South Windsor before joining the Connecticut River. “Scantic” means “branch of the river.”
The historical sites of the Native Americans found in South Windsor are Nowashe Village, Woodchuck Knoll and Burnham-Shepherd Sites, and Kasheta and Butternut Knoll.
In the United States, November is designated as Native American Heritage Month because it’s for honoring the contributions, histories, rich cultures, and traditions of Native Americans. November is a time of Thanksgiving and celebration for many Native American tribes. It marks the end of the traditional harvest season.
There are several goals for Native American Heritage Month: honoring the achievements of Native Americans, celebrating cultural diversity, educating the public about the cultural diversity, and raising awareness of struggles faced by Native Americans. The cultural diversity includes highlighting the art, history, native languages, and stories. The struggles faced by Native Americans include cultural preservation, education, healthcare, and poverty.
Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes the indigenous people as the original stewards of the land. This is when a community, an institution, or a school is situated. The purpose of a land acknowledgement is to educate the public about the presence and history of Native Americans in a given area.
Not every school or town has a land acknowledgement in the United States. However, this practice is becoming larger as the rates of awareness and advocacy are increasing nationwide.
Native American Heritage Month encourages communities to reconnect with histories that have too often faded from public memory. As Mr. Rizzuto pointed out, the challenge is less about misconceptions and more about a “lack of knowledge” surrounding the Indigenous groups who shaped this region. By acknowledging the Podunk people’s presence, culture, and lasting impact on South Windsor, we honor the traditions and stories that continue to define this land.
