When I first call Sherry Pocknett, she’s on her way out the door—headed to forage for mushrooms. But the Mashpee Wampanoag chef and longtime caterer invites me up to her restaurant, Sly Fox Den Too, in Charlestown, R.I., which specializes in East Coast Indigenous cuisine. There, in a little red house right by Narragansett Indian tribal lands, she cooks lunch—crisping duck skin like a potato chip—and explains that the sunflower oil she’s using to prepare our meal can also be rubbed on your hair and skin to keep you looking youthful.

David Weeden, chairman of the Mashpee Select Board and Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council Member kicked off the annual town Veterans Day ceremony on November 11. In addition to David, speakers included Cheri Peters, Women’s Auxiliary president; Steve Koglin, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5489 commander; David Vieira, state Representative and Reverend John Taylor.

David recited a prayer in both the Wampanoag and English languages, and Rep. Vieira spoke on the SPEED Act, a bill recently passed into Massachusetts law that provides new benefits to veterans and active-duty members as well as their families. Among other benefits, the law offers in-state tuition to members of the military stationed in Massachusetts and expedites the process of obtaining licenses and certifications for military spouses.

Tribal Member Maria Hendricks along with Pocasset Tribal Member Joshua Tripp, are the first people to complete a cost-free offshore wind training and certification program. Mayflower Wind and RPS provided the program and certifications that are required to work as a Protected Observer (PSO).

PSO’s are placed with marine survey and construction crews and are responsible for monitoring and directing vessel operations to avoid impacting and minimizing interactions with marine mammals and endangered species.

Three million people lined the parade route to watch the 2022 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City this morning. The large crowd viewed the Wampanoag Tribe’s “People of First Light” float that debuted in the parade. Millions others viewed historic parade on television on NBC.

The float was designed to tell the story of resilience, tradition and enduring vibrant culture. The float’s pathways symbolize the colors of the four directions. The Eastern Pine tree is adorned by wampum shells of the water and surrounded by sweetgrass, sassafras, and wild berry plant relatives.

On November 9 the U.S. Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments regarding the future of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). The law was established in 1978 to provide standards for the removal and placement of Native American children. Tribal members, including Powwow Princess Amiya Peters, traveled to show support for the law and fight right wing groups trying to dismantle it.

Maria Turner—the ICWA Manager for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe—said she supports the defense’s case and believes ICWA is not racially discriminative. “We’re a tribe,” she said. “We just want to make sure our children and elders are taken care of.”

Cedric Cromwell was sentenced last month to three years in prison for soliciting bribes, but remains free while he appeals the conviction. David DeQuattro of the Rhode Island architecture firm that was overseeing several projects for the Tribe received probation for his part.

The Tribe was extremely disappointed in the decision to allow Cromwell to remain free and the probation for DeQuattro. The Tribe petitioned the court for the maximum sentence because that is the justice the Mashpee Wampanoag deserved. The corruption that both men were guilty of diverted funds from programs and services that needed it and robbed the community of the trust they placed in elected tribal officials.

Cheryl Andrews-Maltais has been re-elected as chairperson of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head tribal council, staving off a challenge from Aquinnah Cultural Center program director NaDaizja Bolling.

Cheryl received 151 votes to Ms. Bolling’s 127, according to official results.

Originally scheduled as part of a general tribal membership meeting last month, the election was held via mail-in only voting and results were tabulated and announced at the meeting.

The Mashpee Wampanoag ICWA Department will once again host a series of Sacred Parenting workshops. Workshops. Receive $40 for each session you attend and a sacred parenting box with crafting supplies. These are zoom classes.

Beading workshops taught by tribal member Tia Pocknett will continue to take place through the winter. The Education Department has recommended the workshops for grades 6-12 however if you have a younger pupil who is apt for crafting, they are encouraged to join with a guardian.

Classes take place Monday nights from 6-8 PM at the Community and Government Center and will continue through December 12th.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Community Development Corporation (CDC) is currently seeking qualified tribal citizens to join the CDC Board of Directors. The CDC was organized to engage in activities that will promote the social welfare, economic security and community development of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and its enrolled citizens that will enable the Tribe to be self-sufficient and to provide economic support for its tribal citizens. If you are interested in serving as a CDC Board of Director, please send a letter of interest along with your resume/CV to Secretary Cassie Jackson, Cassie.Jackson@mwtribe-nsn.gov and carbon copy mwtcdc@mwtribe-NSN.gov.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is available for the 2022 winter season. LIHEAP is designed to help eligible low-income households supplement part of their winter heating service bills.

For more information, or to pick up an application for the 2022/20223 season, please contact the Fuel Assistance Coordinator Shakira Askew at (508) 477-0208 ext.159. Applications are also available online on the tribe's website.

The Education Department is excited to announce its Ribbon Skirt making class taught by Mrs. Nitana Hicks Greendeer. Classes start November 1st and run every Tuesday from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM at the Community and Government Center. The class is open to all native students and tribal members. The class needs at least 5 students ages 14-18 years old. Those older will be waitlisted after the first five slots are taken. Sign-ups can be found on the tribe’s website under the Education Department. Further questions can be directed to Talia Landry at talia.landry@mwtribe-nsn.gov.

The Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project kicked off its fall community classes in October and continues to offer classes in the winter. WLRP is offering a Wôpanâak Noun Possession class from February 12th until March 2nd. This workbook class is for those who want to learn how nouns are possessed in the language. Completion of the beginner workbook is a prerequisite to participate in this course. Those who are interested in participating may contact Jessie LittleDoe Baird at jessieldbaird@gmail.com for more information.

The Powwow Committee is currently looking to fill open seats as they begin planning for the 2023 Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow. All tribal members who are interested are asked to please send a letter of interest to Tribal Council Secretary Cassie Jackson at cassie.jackson@mwtribe-nsn.gov.