“You can talk a good game, but your talk is only as good as your actions,” said Camille Madison, a member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, a branch based on Martha’s Vineyard. “Their theory is great, but their practice is horrible.”

The Mashpee Wampanoag Housing Department will be working to quickly provide tribal members in desperate need of housing with a temporary home when the new Plaza Del Sol Shelter opens this winter. If you are homeless and in need of safe housing, please contact the Housing Department at 508-477-0208 ext 106.

Tribal member Hialeah Foster-Turner scored her 1000th career point for the Mashpee Falcons on December 22nd. Hialeah is the daughter of Charles “Bobby” Foster and Shani Turner, of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and Nipmuc Nation. Foster entered the game at 997 career points, leading her to quickly reach the milestone after two free throws to get to 999 and an and-one layup for the thousandth point. Hialeah is only the third ever Mashpee High School girls’ basketball player to score 1,000 points and the fifth player overall to score 1,000 points at Mashpee High School. Congratulations Hialeah!

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. 

A reception for a collection of contemporary indigenous art currently on display in the Senate Chambers of the Massachusetts State House will be held on Wednesday, January 25th, from 1-3 PM at the State House. The installation “We Are Still Here” was curated by Mashpee Wampanoag Artist Robert Peters and features the work of Natasha Frye; Nelson Andrews, Jr.; and Robert Peters. All three artists are members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. The reception is open to tribal members, friends, and family.

As winter approaches so do these types of viruses. The key is knowing the difference, how to treat it, and how to prevent the spread. Highlighted below are the different viruses, including symptoms, treatments and prevention methods. 

The Education Department is taking students to the United South & Eastern Tribes Impact Week Youth Summit in Washington D.C. from February 3rd – February 9th. Applications are open now but time is limited. This opportunity is open to Native American students in grades 9-12 who are in good academic standing.

The Mashpee Wampanoag ICWA Department will once again host a series of Sacred Parenting workshops. Participants receive $40 for each session they attend and a sacred parenting box with crafting supplies. These classes are held over zoom video conference.

The Education Department has been hosting a Ribbon Skirt making class taught by Mrs. Nitana Hicks Greendeer. Classes, which started on November 1, will conclude on January 10. Classes are held on Tuesdays 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 is geared to instruct 5 students ages 14-18 years old. Those older will be waitlisted after the first five slots are filled. Those interested can sign up 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 (WLRP) is offering a Wôpanâak Noun Possession class from January 12th until March 2nd. This workbook class is for those who want to learn how nouns are possessed in the language.

Mashpee Service Unit is now offering a monthly clinic for diabetic shoes and inserts. Persons with Diabetes are eligible for one pair of shoes and up to 3 pairs of customized inserts every year.  Examinations are administered by a certified foot specialist.

The Clan Mothers Meetings will continue throughout the winter every Sunday, beginning at 10:30a.m. Meetings are held at the Native Land Conservancy (NLC) located at 2 Center Street, Mashpee, MA (Next to Wildfire Pizza).. All tribal members are welcome – men, women and children. Discussions focus on traditional aspects of our tribal community. Please come with an open heart and mind.Politic discussions are highly discouraged.

It is with a heavy heart that we share the departure of Dr. Nadine Phillips-Smart (Behavioral Health) from the Mashpee Wampanoag Health Service Unit. Dr. Phillips-Smart has been with us since January of 2014 and has significantly contributed to the overall growth and advancement of the service unit and the mission of Indian Health Service to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level. We are truly grateful for her dedicated service over the past nine years and wish her all the best in future endeavors. Dr. Phillips-Smart wishes to express her heartfelt gratitude for having had the opportunity to serve in such an intimate capacity.