United American Indians of New England

rdf:langString United American Indians of New England

rdf:langString The United American Indians of New England (UAINE) is a Native American activist organization founded by Frank James (1924-2001). Also known as Wamsutta, Frank James was the leader of the Wampanoag people. He founded the United American Indians of New England in 1970 after being “uninvited” to make a speech at a celebration hosted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Commonwealth wanted to celebrate the friendly relations of their forefathers and the Wampanoag people; however, when the speech that James was going to give was reviewed, it was deemed inappropriate for the celebration because it focused on the negative ways the Wampanoag people had been treated by the Pilgrims at Plymouth and did not celebrate the brotherhood the planners wanted to show. When he was given a revised speech that was written by a person in public relations, James decided that he would not attend the celebration. Instead, he chose to protest the silencing of the Native Americans by gathering supporters, going to Cole's Hill overlooking Plymouth Harbor, and giving his speech there. The supporters he gathered on that day became the United American Indians of New England; the group still leads the National Day of Mourning each year to continue what James started.