The Battle of Rhode Island Association acknowledges that our efforts to document and share Rhode Island’s role in the Revolutionary War is on the ancestral lands of the Narragansett and Wampanoag Indian peoples, who have stewarded this territory for thousands of years.

We also recognize the presence and contributions of other indigenous groups in Rhode Island, including the Niantic. Pocasset, Pokanoket, Nipmuc, Pequot, and other peoples. The Narragansett, once the largest tribe in the region, along with their close allies the Niantic and their neighbors the Wampanoag who inhabited the western shores of Narragansett Bay, have deep roots in this area dating back more than 12,000 years. These peoples, along with other indigenous nations, have endured centuries of hardship while maintaining their cultural heritage and connection to this land. We honor the resilience and continuing sovereignty of these indigenous nations.

As we reflect on the historical events surrounding the Revolutionary War in Rhode Island, we commit to respecting the land, waters, and cultural heritage of all these indigenous peoples. We support their ongoing efforts to preserve their languages, traditions, and sovereignty, and we acknowledge our responsibility to honor their past, present, and future.