Editing Cape Cod (section)

=== Wampanoag peoples ===
Cape Cod has been the home of the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|indigenous]] [[Wampanoag]] for centuries prior to [[European colonization of the Americas|European colonization]]. They lived from the sea and were accomplished farmers. They understood the principles of [[sustainable forest management]],{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} and were known to light [[Controlled burn|controlled fires]] to keep the underbrush in check. They helped the [[Pilgrims (Plymouth Colony)|Pilgrims]], who arrived in the fall of 1620, survive at their new [[Plymouth Colony]].

The Wampanoag gradually lost their lands during the period of European incursion through land cessions and violent conflict with white settlers. The documentary ''Natives of the Narrowland'' (1993), narrated by actress [[Julie Harris]], shows the history of the Wampanoag people through Cape Cod archaeological sites.

In 1974, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council was formed to articulate the concerns of those with Native American ancestry. They petitioned the federal government in 1975 and again in 1990 for official recognition of the Mashpee Wampanoag as a tribe. In May 2007, the Wampanoag tribe was federally recognized.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wampanoag tribe wins recognition |url=http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070525/NEWS/705250325 |author=Stephanie Vosk |publisher=Cape Cod Times |date=May 25, 2007 |access-date=June 5, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928040619/http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070525%2FNEWS%2F705250325 |archive-date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref>