Native American Presence: The Land of the Narragansett. Long before European ships sailed into Narragansett Bay, the area encompassing present-day Rhode Island was inhabited by several Native American tribes, most notably the Narragansett people. They called their homeland “Aquidneck,” meaning “island at the end of the sea.” This name reflected their deep connection to the land and the surrounding waters, which provided sustenance and shaped their way of life.