Mashantucket, Connecticut
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (Enrolled members: 1,003) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| United States (Connecticut) | |
| Languages | |
| English, formerly Pequot | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Mohegan and Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation |
Coordinates: 41°27′58″N 71°58′28″W / 41.46611°N 71.97444°W
The Mashantucket Pequot are a federally recognized Native American nation in the state of Connecticut. They are descended from the Pequot people, one of the Algonquian-languages family. Within their Reservation in Ledyard, New London County, Connecticut, the Mashantucket Pequot operate Foxwoods Resort Casino, which is the world's largest resort casino in terms of gambling space and number of slot machines. Until 2007, the casino was one of the most economically successful in the United States, but by 2012, the casino was deeply in debt.
In the course of its successful federal land claims suit against the state, the tribe achieved federal recognition in 1983 by an act of Congress, as part of the settlement of the suit. It was the eighth tribal nation to have gained recognition through the political rather than administrative process. Tribal membership is based on proven descent from tribal members listed in the 1900 Census. They are one of two federally recognized tribes in Connecticut; the other are the Mohegan Indian Tribe.
In addition, the state recognizes the Schaghticoke tribe, whose reservation dates from 1736; the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation, with a reservation from 1683; and the Golden Hill Paugussett Indian Nation, with a reservation from 1639.
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