Mohegan Tribe

The Mohegan Tribe ( MOH-hee-gan) is a federally recognized Native American tribe and sovereign tribal nation of Mohegan people based in Uncasville, Connecticut. Historically part of the Pequot people, the Mohegan emerged as a distinct group in the 17th century under the leadership of Uncas, who allied with English colonists during the Pequot War (1637–1638) and established the tribe’s independence through the Treaty of Hartford. The Mohegan Tribe gained formal federal recognition from the United States government in 1994 through the Mohegan Nation (Connecticut) Land Claim Settlement Act, which also established their modern reservation on the Thames River. The tribe's government operates under a written constitution and includes an elected Tribal Council and Council of Elders, who oversee legislative, judicial, and cultural matters. Today, the Mohegan are known both for their cultural preservation efforts and their economic development, most notably through ownership and operation of Mohegan Sun, one of the largest casinos in the United States. Revenues from gaming have funded extensive tribal services and allowed the Mohegan to contribute to environmental sustainability, intertribal partnerships, and philanthropic causes. Their cultural institutions include the Tantaquidgeon Museum, the oldest Native American owned and operated museum in the United States, and the Mohegan Church. As of 2024, the Mohegan Tribe had an estimated enrolled population of approximately 2,400 members.