Brown University Transfers Land to Pokanoket Tribe

Brown University has finalized the transfer of 255 acres of ancestral land in Bristol, Rhode Island, to the Pokanoket Indian Tribe, marking a significant victory for Indigenous land reclamation efforts. This historic transfer, completed on November 15, 2024, fulfills a 2017 agreement between the university and the tribe and is seen as a pioneering move for an Ivy League institution. The land, which includes sites of deep cultural and historical significance, was once the home of Pokanoket leader Metacom (King Philip). Tribe Chief Sachem Tracey 'Dancing Star' Trezvant Guy celebrated the event as a momentous return to their ancestral lands after over 340 years. The university's executive vice president emphasized the commitment to preserving the land and ensuring access for Native tribes. The Pokanoket Tribe plans to engage in stewardship of the land, which they consider sacred.