Guides & Policy
Cultural Sensitivity

RESPECTING NATIVE CULTURES AND PEOPLE

The following suggestions are offered to help you enjoy your visit to the Wampanoag Homesite while respecting cultural boundaries.

• All the staff wearing traditional Native clothing are Native People. They are from the Wampanoag Nation as well as other Nations, such as Micmac or Cherokee.
  

• Today, mistaken ideas about Native People are everywhere. In your conversations with Native staff we ask you to avoid questions or comments that are based on stereotypes, such as war whooping, saying "How!" for a greeting or addressing Native women as "squaw" or men as "chief."
  

• The Native staff that you meet may not look like the stereotypical images of Native People you have seen on TV or in the movies. Like any other ethnic group, Native People are diverse in their appearance.
  

• Personal questions such as "What is your Native name?" and "Are you a real Indian?" are not appropriate to ask. Native staff will be glad to discuss why these questions are not appropriate.
  

• In your conversations with Native staff, please do not use the word "Indian" to describe their culture. Using the description "Native People" is more respectful than the word "Indian." It is also respectful to use the names of individual Nations, such as Wampanoag, Cherokee, etc. You might want to inquire "What Nation are you from?"

• The culture of the Wampanoag and other Native People from the northeastern part of the country is very different from what you may have expected-- no feathered headdresses or teepees. Please take this opportunity to find out about the fascinating history and culture of the Wampanoag People.

Sample Questions:

"What material is that _______ made of? (for example, woven bag)"
"How would that item be used in the 1600s?"
"Is this area original Wampanoag territory?"
"How did the Wampanoag react to the English colonists arriving in their homeland?"
"How do present-day Wampanoag traditions differ from the 1600s and before?"

GUESTS IN COSTUME

At Plimoth Plantation, we request that our visitors do not wear "Pilgrim" or "Indian" costumes while visiting the museum.

In our 1627 English Village and on Mayflower II we have highly trained costumed role players on staff. It is often difficult for our other visitors to distinguish between our trained staff and guests who may come in period costume. To avoid any confusion for our other guests, we ask that our guests do not come dressed as "Pilgrims."

On our Wampanoag site, Native interpreters wear traditional Wampanoag clothing. We ask that our non-Native guests respect cultural boundaries and not wear Native outfits or headdresses.

hours: Plimoth Plantation's Administrative offices, Education Department and Creative Gourmet are open 9 AM to 5 PM, M-F
address: 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA 02360 USA
telephone: 1 + 508 746 1622