The annual Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow returned last month after being canceled for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The 101st annual powwow, with the theme of Honoring the Four Directions, took place on July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
Tribal Council Approves Budget Review Process and Forms New Finance Committee
Last month the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Council approved the annual budget review process. The constitution authorizes the Tribal Council to present an annual balanced budget of tribal operations to the tribal body to be approved by a majority of registered voters in attendance. The approval of a budget review process will provide a framework for the tribal council and tribal operations to follow in the budget preparation.
As part of the budget review process, Tribal Council will create a Finance Committee to assist the Tribal Council, Tribal Finance Department, and Comptroller in preparing the annual budget. The new Finance Committee will be comprised of five members of the Tribal community appointed by the Tribal Council.
Members of the tribal community interested in serving on the Finance Committee are asked to send a letter of interest to Secretary Cassie Jackson at cassie.jackson@mwtribe-nsn.gov.
The Tribe is Hiring
There are several open positions at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. As of the date of publication the following positions are open. Please visit the Human Resource section of the Tribe’s website for complete position descriptions and details for applicants.
Court Clerk/OVC Program Assistant
Administrative Assistant
ICWA/CFS Caseworker
EMD Grant Reporting and Processing Coordinator
Tribe receives 1.1 Million Dollar Grant for Sustainable Economic Growth
Tribe receives 1.1 Million Dollar Grant for Sustainable Economic Growth
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has received a 1.1 million grant from the US Economic Development Administration, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, to support the tribe’s growing aquaculture industry and blue economy.
Tribal Council Vice Chairman Carlton Hendricks said the grant will contribute to the long-term economic development of the tribal-run shellfish farm in Mashpee.
The grant will fund six jobs for members of the Wampanoag tribe to work at the farm, supporting three existing jobs and creating three new opportunities.
“We’ve had the shellfish farm for over 40 years, and we just haven’t ever turned it into an economic development endeavor,” Carlton said. “This allows us the opportunity to start doing that and creating jobs for our tribal members.”
Carlton went to Washington, DC, to work with US Senators Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth A. Warren (both D-Massachusetts) to secure the grant from the American Rescue Plan Indigenous Communities program.
“This million-dollar grant to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe will serve the community in its efforts to create jobs and pass on unmatched expertise in aquaculture techniques and shellfish farming,” said Sen. Markey. “I commend the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe for their steadfast commitment to rebuilding these fisheries and thank Barnstable County officials and the Biden administration for their work to secure this funding.”
Out of the $1.1 million, $350,000 will go toward financially supporting the tribe as a whole, Carlton said.
The tribal vice chairman thanked the tribal council, the tribe’s Natural Resource Department, the Cape Cod Commission and the US senators for their contributions to securing this grant.
Carlton ran for the council on a platform of expanding economic opportunities for tribal members and is proud of the work he and other members of the council have done to reach this goal.
“Having a tribal-run, tribal-driven shellfish farm gives us great self-esteem,” he said. “It’s what we’ve always done, hunting and fishing. I think it gives us a lot of pride to have something of our own that is tribally driven and run for our community.”
By Sam Drysdale, Mashpee Enterprise
Rumble on the Rez Returns
Rumble on the Rez, a substance abuse awareness fundraiser and boxing exhibition, will return on August 20th at 2 pm. The event will be held at the Government Center on powwow grounds. The charity boxing event is organized by tribal citizen Stanley Dutra. All are welcome to attend.
Weetumuw School 2022-2023 New Student registration
Registration for the Weetumuw School 2022-2023 school year is open. The school's mission is to "prepare students ages 3-10 for academic excellence and community leadership by instilling traditional Wampanoag values through Wôpanâak language immersion and culture-based education for decolonization using a Montessori pedagogy…" For further information and to register your child, please visit https://www.wlrp.org/language-school.
Treasurer Stone Removed from Office: Tribal Council Requests Advisory Opinion from Supreme Court
Following Article VIII, Section 2(b) of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Constitution, a hearing was duly noticed for July 6, 2022, at 5:30 to consider the expulsion of Tribal Treasurer Marie Stone from office on the grounds of malfeasance and nonfeasance. The Tribal Council considered five grounds of malfeasance and six grounds of nonfeasance and, by an affirmative vote of 7 members, voted in favor of expulsion.
Tribal Council has requested a Judicial Advisory Opinion from the Supreme Court regarding the Tribal Council vacancy under Article VIII. Article VIII provides the parameters for the filing of vacancies in office. This is the first instance in which the Tribal Council has had to fill a Tribal Council Vacancy.
The advisory opinion will help clarify the meaning of the language “within the calendar year.” If the language refers to the calendar year in which Treasurer Stone was elected, then the vacancy will be filled with a special election given the vacancy occurred after the calendar year had passed. However, if the calendar year language refers to the date in which a vacancy occurs, the vacancy will be filled by the candidate that received the second highest vote count at the May 16, 2021 election.
Tribal leadership, with the support of the Tribal Administrator, Comptroller, and finance department, will continue to work efficiently and effectively to move our tribe forward. Tribal Council will keep you updated on any relevant developments concerning this important matter.
Available Transportation Services at No Cost
MWT Tribal Transportation is part of the tribe's Public Works Department and employs three full-time drivers and one full-time Transportation Coordinator. Transportation services operate within the 5 CHSDA Counties in Massachusetts (Barnstable, Bristol, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk). The program provides transportation to and from medical appointments and other basic needs trips from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
To schedule transportation, call coordinator, Latoya Green, 508-477-0208 ext. 125, at least three days before your appointment. There are no fees for rides, although donations are accepted and put back into the transportation program, which is entirely grant-funded.
All transit vehicles are ADA compliant and handicap accessible. Transportation Services are available to all tribal members regardless of age, income, etc. Minors must ride with a parent or guardian. The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The transportation services team looks forward to serving you.
Education Committee Seeking Members
The Education Committee is returning and needs tribal members to join. The Education Department is seeking five tribal members with a passion for the future of our tribal community. The five-member committee will provide guidance that will expand and strengthen the scholarships and educational programs offered by the Education Department.
Tribal members interested in joining the Education Committee should email a letter of interest and resume to council liaison’s Nelson Andrews and Carlton Hendricks at nelson.andrews@mwtribe-nsn.gov and carlton.hendricks@mwtribe-nsn.gov .
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Education Department has a mission to provide and support programs that nurture the positive social and academic development of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal members. For the sustainability of our community it seeks to promote and cultivate leadership skills in our youth while, deepening their understanding of tribal history, culture, the natural environment we are entrusted to.
Inaugural Randy Peters Jr. Power Lifting Competition
The 1st Annual Randy Peters Jr. Power Lifting Competition will take place on August 20th from 1-4pm. The event is hosted by community member Rocky Rodriques, owner of Rocky’s Gym in Falmouth. The competition is held in memory of tribal member Randy Peters Jr. who passed away from cancer in 2014. There will be food, music, raffles, performances by Wampanoag dancers. All event proceeds and donations will go towards scholarships. The event will take place at Rocky’s Gym (610 E Falmouth Hwy, East Falmouth, MA 02536). All are invited to attend.
Upcoming Local Powwow’s
Powwow season is here! Below are a few upcoming local powwows that are open to the public.
August 13th and 14th
Narragansett 347th Annual August Meeting
Location: Indian Church Rd. Charlestown, RI
August 20th 2022
Mohegan Intertribal Gathering
Location: Fort Shantok, Uncasville, CT
For more information, contact Shelby Hammett at shammett@moheganmail.com
August 27th and 28th
Schemitzun
Location: 2 Matt's Path Mashantucket, CT
September 2nd- 5th
76th Annual Shinnecock Indian Powwow
Location: 1 West Church St. Southampton, NY
Sacred Parenting Workshops to begin in September
The Mashpee Wampanoag ICWA Department will once again host a series of Sacred Parenting workshops. Workshops will start on Monday, September 12 at 6 PM and continue through November 14. Receive $40 for each session you attend and a sacred parenting box with crafting supplies.
The program consists of 8 workshops that will help parents heal the past and move forward in strength. Attendees will work to honor one’s identity, which includes the scars of the past, share our legacy, and bring the healing process for our children while remaining connected to our own indigenous identity.
Workshop Schedule:
September 12 from 6-7 PM
September 19 from 6-7 PM
September 26 from 6-7 PM
October 3 from 6-7 PM
October 17 from 6-7 PM
October 24 from 6-7 PM
November 7 from 6-7 PM
November 14 from 6-7 PM
For additional information, please contact Maria Turner at maria.turner@mwtribe-nsn.gov or at (508) 477-0208 ext 144.
POH Camp Concludes
The Preserving Our Homelands camp, hosted jointly by the Natural Resources and Education departments, concluded last month. During the camp, Wampanoag youth learned about the science needed to keep the water clean and traditional cultural knowledge. The program taught students through a hands-on approach, where students participated in different STEM-related activities each week. The camp was an overall success for the students, and the departments look forward to hosting the camp again next year.
Plymouth hosts Indigenous Art Exhibit
Plymouth Center for the Arts is hosting an exhibit entitled Art of the Contemporary Indigenous Experience from August 17th - September 11th. The exhibit will feature artwork from Indigenous artists of the northeast. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, please visit https://plymouthguild.org/content/art-contemporary-indigenous-experience
Homeowners Assistance Fund Mortgage Assistance
The Housing Department opened its Homeowners Assistance Fund (HAF) on August 1st. The service provides a one-time payment to defray mortgage, property tax, foreclosures or utilities up to $2,000 for Mashpee Wampanoag tribal members across the United States. Further information and applications can be found on the tribe’s website at https://mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov/housing.
Applicants must be enrolled members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.
Paid Internship Opportunity for Students
The Education Department is offering to pay Mashpee Wampanoag students $15 an hour for students who wish to complete a 100-hour internship. The department can work with the student to assist in finding an internship revolving around their interests, or the student can submit their own internship opportunity for approval. This program is open to all Mashpee Wampanoag middle and high-school students. Further information can be found on the tribe’s website under the education department. Students are encouraged to contact Talia Landry or Sassamin Weeden for assistance.
For more information please contact:
Talia Landry:
508-477-0208 x 166
Sassamin Weeden:
Sassamin.weeden@mwtribe-nsn.gov
508-477-0208 x 166
CCCC Seeking Indigenous Studies Professor
Cape Cod Community College is seeking an instructor to teach an Introduction to American Indian Studies course (ETH110). This class examines the politics, cultures, histories, representations, and study of the Native peoples of North America, with a primary focus on the United States and local tribal communities. The course will be held during the fall semester (September 6th- December 20th 2022). There is an immediate need, and applications are reviewed upon receipt.
Secretary Jackson Heads Up Communications for Tribe and Gaming Authority
Secretary Cassie Jackson has officially expanded her role with the Tribe. In addition to serving as the liaison for the Mittark, Youth Council and Language Department, Secretary Jackson is now taking the lead on all tribal and gaming authority communications. Having a central point of contact will streamline the news that is shared. Departments, committees, and boards now work directly with Cassie to ensure the Tribe receives accurate and timely communication. Tribal citizens are also encouraged to share news by emailing cassie.Jackson@mwtribe-nsn.gov.
Chairman Receives Alumni of the Year
Chairman Brian Weeden received the Eddie Wadda Alumni of the Year Award last month while attending the United National Indian Tribal Youth National Conference. Chairman Weeden is the former Co-President/Trustee of UNITY INC. The award acknowledges a UNITY alumnus who exemplifies outstanding achievements and contributions to the Indigenous community. Congratulations Chairman!
Richard Bourne Sunday Service
The Richard Bourne Service will be held Sunday, August 21, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Old Indian Meeting House. Richard Bourne was a Christian preacher who evangelized to Wampanoag people in the mid-1600s. The annual service is held in partnership with the Mashpee Baptist Church and citizens of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. All are welcome to attend.
