In this new section of the Mittark, we will be featuring one TERO-certified tribal business to share with the community. If you are an owner of a TERO-certified business and would like to be featured, please contact dasia@smokesygnals.com

Last month, tribal youth attended the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) 2023 Impact Week. The students spent time in Washington, D.C where they met with other youth from various tribes and discussed issues their communities are currently facing.

Mashpee’s Annual Town Meeting will take place on May 1st at 7 PM. An important issue on the table is the expansion of buffer zones and naturally vegetated buffer strips. Voting yes to increase buffer zones from 100 to 150 feet, and naturally vegetated buffer strips from 50 to 75 feet would provide a much-needed added protection to our waterways.

During the month of March, Emergency Management Department Assistant Allyssa Hathaway and AmeriCorps Team Leader Steven Johnson Gonsalves, Steven Costa and Kalela Rogers attended the 2023 FEMA Tribal Training Week in Anniston, AL. 

John P. Marcellino, a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and co-owner of The Station Grill in downtown Falmouth, is also a co-owner of Tradesman Exchange, a cannabis delivery company that received a provisional license from the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission earlier this month.

At the end of March, Tribal Councilman/ Emergency Management Director, Nelson Andrews Jr was an invitation guest as part of Tribal Perspectives panel during the U.S Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board 2023 Spring Board meeting.

The tribe continues to host Sacred Parenting Workshops for tribal families. April workshops will take place every Monday 4/3, 4/17, 4/24 (excluding 4/10) via Zoom from 6:00PM – 7:00PM. To sign up, please contact Maria Turner at maria.turner@mwtribe-nsn.gov or by phone at 508-477-0208 ext. 144.

On April 22, members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the Truro Historical Society and Cape Cod National Seashore will host a gathering at 10:00 AM in front of Highland House Museum, North Truro.

David Weeden, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, attended the United South and Eastern Tribes' (U.S.E.T.) Sovereignty Protection Fund Impact Week, which took place from February 6th-8th, 2023. The conference provided a platform for various Tribal departments to interact with Federal officials they frequently engage with.

The Pow Wow Committee is looking for Tribal Members to join the committee to plan the 102nd Annual Mashpee Wampanoag Pow Wow. Filling this committee is crucial to be able to host this year’s event.

Two tribal members are running for (re)election. Councilman David Weeden is running for reelection on the Select Board, and Dale Oakley Jr. is running for a seat on the planning board for a three-year term. Good luck to all!

The Administrative Assistant is a new position that will support NLC staff and programs. This position is well-suited for someone who communicates effectively, is detail-oriented, enjoys managing both short- and long-term projects, and has a desire to meaningfully contribute towards improving Indigenous-led conservation locally and beyond. 

The Massachusetts Senate President, Karen Spilka, will be hosting the 85th Citizens’ Legislative Seminar on April 11 and 12, 2023. The seminar is an initiative aimed at educating citizens about the workings of their state government and increasing civic engagement.