Summary: HR 6349, introduced by Representatives Stewart, Morales, Donovan, and Cruz on May 16, 2023, and referred to the House State Government & Elections, recognizes the Pokanoket Tribe as the ancient and ongoing stewards of their ancestral homeland, which includes areas now known as Bristol, Warren, Barrington, East Providence, and parts of Providence. The bill highlights the tribe's historical significance, including their governance, diplomacy, and environmental stewardship prior to European contact, as well as their role in the founding of Rhode Island. It acknowledges the tribe's contributions throughout history, including their involvement in the Revolutionary War and their efforts in cultural preservation and land reclamation, such as the recent transfer of 255 acres of ancestral land from Brown University to a preservation trust established by the tribe.

Additionally, the bill expresses the House of Representatives' commitment to honoring the Pokanoket Tribe's ancestors and living descendants, promoting and protecting their cultural heritage, and recognizing their rightful place in Rhode Island's history. It calls for the transmission of certified copies of the resolution to various state and federal officials, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the tribe's central role in shaping the region's past, present, and future.