After the 99th Annual Pawâw was postponed due to the initial outbreak of covid-19 and the 100th Annual Pawâw was held as a traditional social, the 101st Annual Pawâw will return to Mashpee on July 1, 2, and 3. The theme for this year is “Honoring the Four Directions.”
Education Department to Provide Paid Internship Opportunities
The Mashpee Wampanoag Education Department is offering to pay tribal students for their internship hours. Students can receive $15 per hour for up to 100 hours. Click here to learn more.
Covid Vaccine Now Available for Children Over 6 Months
Vaccines for all children over 6 months of age are now available at the Mashpee Wampanoag Service Unit. Please call (508) 477-6967 to schedule an appointment or walk-in for a vaccine. The CDC now recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get vaccinated for COVID-19 and everyone 5 years and older should also get a COVID-19 booster, if eligible.
Honoring Our 2022 Graduates
Biden Appoints First Native American as U.S. Treasurer
President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced his intention to appoint Mohegan Indian Tribe Lifetime Chief Marilynn Malerba as U.S. treasurer, marking the first time a Native American's signature will appear on U.S. currency.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who is visiting the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota on Tuesday, also announced the creation of a new Treasury Office of Tribal and Native Affairs, which will report to the treasurer and administer tribal relations.
AmeriCorps Program Recruiting Tribal Members
Cares COVID-19 Rental Assistance
Emergency Management Department attends FEMA Tribal EM Instructor Training
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Emergency Management Director Nelson Andrews Jr and Emergency Management Assistant Allyssa Hathaway attended the country’s first FEMA Tribal EM Instructor training. At this training, regional tribal liaisons partnered with tribal emergency managers to train together on the new FEMA Tribal Emergency Management curriculum. EM Director Nelson Andrews Jr had the opportunity to assist in re-writing the new curriculum over the past few years and is featured along with representation of the tribe throughout the new training material. Both Allyssa Hathaway and Nelson Andrews Jr look forward to helping deliver this training along with the Emergency Management Institute as a host training site in early 2023.
Tribe Celebrates Chief’s 100th Birthday
Elders Lunch & Learn
Upcoming Powwows
As powwow season approaches, below is a running list of local powwows that are open to the public.
July 8th & 9th
Education Powwow – “A Living Exhibition”
Location: Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center
July 31st
Nipmuc Nation Powwow
Location: 25 Main St. South Grafton, MA
August 6th & 7th
9th Annual Pocumtuck Homelands Festival
Location: 91 Main St. Greenfield, MA
August 13th and 14th
Narragansett 347th Annual August Meeting
Location: Indian Church Rd. Charlestown, RI
August 27th and 28th
Schemitzun
2 Matt's Path Mashantucket, CT
September 2nd- 5th
76th Annual Shinnecock Indian Powwow
Location: 1 West Church St. Southampton NY 11968
November 12th
Honoring the Veterans Powwow
Location: Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center
Tribal Students Receive Good Manners Award
Education Department Hosts Successful 1st Strawberry Thanksgiving
ICWA is Seeking Qualified Expert Witnesses
The ICWA Department at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is looking for individuals who would like to train to become Qualified Expert Witnesses, (QEW’s).
A QEW is a person who by the ICWA law will attend State Court Hearings in cases where a tribal child is removed from their parents or guardians by the Department of Children and Families because of an allegation of physical abuse or neglect.
The QEW must be able to speak to the culture and traditions of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, including child rearing practices. You will be expected to have background knowledge or have worked as a social worker, legal services, teaching professional and/or child care.
If you agree to serve as a QEW, you will be given the case that is going to State Court to review. At the State Court Hearing, you may be asked your opinion as to whether or not a child should be returned to a parent or guardian. If you feel at that time, the child should not be returned, you may be asked to speak to your concerns.
The ICWA Department is working with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families to make a stipend available to individuals who attend State Court Hearings as QEW’s.
A criminal background records check may be required.
If interested, please contact the following individuals: Maria Turner, ICWA Manager-508-477-0208, x144 or Yvonne Avant, ICWA Liaison-774-238-8388.
Tribal Leaders Call for Harvard to Return Human Remains
Seeking Culture-Keepers; Native Historians; Subject Matter Experts For Speakers Bureau
Danielle Greendeer Publishes New Children's Book
Covid-19 Boosters and Vaccinations Are Now Available
Joint School Committee and Tribal Council Meeting Held on June 8
Sassamin Weeden Joins Education Department
Please help us welcome Sassamin Weeden, Mashpee Wampanoag, to the Education Department as our new Administrative Assistant. Sassamin, granddaughter of Narragansett-Pequot tribal historian Tall Oak Weeden, brings her visual storytelling, communications, and tribal knowledge to her community working in a role to fulfill the mission of aiding and advocating for our native students. Through her many experiences, she comes to this position with cultural and historical understanding with an ability to promote and reach those who are eager to learn.
