A piece of forgotten Bermudian history is set to be uncovered.

For an American university lecturer is on the verge of publishing a book on American Indian slavery on the Island.

Dr. Philip Rabito-Wyppensenwah is on the final stretch of a massive 12-year research project into the influence of American Indian slavery on Bermuda.

His book -- News From Bermuda -- is almost finished, with only 50 of the 300 pages to complete and is scheduled for publication next May.

A second book on Island history, the Native American Presence in Bermuda, is likely to be finished by the end of next year.

New York-based Dr. Rabito-Wyppensenwah, a member of the American Indian Shawnee tribe, said: "Most historians in Bermuda who have dealt with American Indians say that their history here ended between 1715-18.

"I've found it to be a different matter altogether. The New York Gazette in 1734 carried a warning that two Irish soldiers, an African and a Native American had escaped from Bermuda in an open boat.

"And from deeds and wills and court cases, I've found an American Indian who was sold to pay a debt in 1748.'' But Dr. Rabito-Wyppensenwah said the biggest mystery was what happened to American Indian slaves, who were brought from North America, Mexico, South America and the Caribbean.

He said: "It wasn't like African slavery where the numbers ran into hundreds of thousands. It was a much smaller number, but a highly visible population.

"Some will have died, some will have inter-married with the black population and I've found evidence of that. But I want to know where the rest went -- they must have gone somewhere after they were freed.

"If I could get my hands on a single group or family of Indians, I have a chance of following their history. I did once, but the trail came to a dead end.'' But Dr. Rabito-Wyppensenwah added that he had found evidence of descent from the American Indians in the population of St. David's.

He said: "There are family stories of ancestors who were American Indians and they're probably true. As with most Islands, there is a Native American population, you just have to look for it.'' Dr. Rabito-Wyppensenwah added: "Some people in Bermuda will have no idea they're descended from Native Americans.'' "It's not anybody's fault but there has been very little work done in this area and we have to get these stories straight.

"When people write only in terms of white and black Bermudian history, they are kidding themselves. People here do re-invent themselves and a lot of valuable history can be lost.'' WRITER -- Dr. Philip Rabito-Wyppensenwah.