“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.”
Voter Registration Going on Now Through February 12
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Election Committee extends notice to all Enrolled Tribal Members who will turn 18 years of Age on or before Sunday, February 12, 2023. Members are required to complete a Voter Registration Form in order to cast your vote at the general election on Sunday, February 12, 2023 (the “Election Day”).
Candidate Packets for February Election Due January 8
Election for six tribal council member seats will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Community and Government Center. Candidate packets for any enrolled tribal members that would like to run for a seat are now available at the Community and Government Center for pickup. Candidate packets are due January 8, 2023.
Election Committee Seeking Monitors
The Election Committee is seeking volunteers and monitors for the upcoming regular election scheduled for February 12, 2023. If interested, please email the Election Committee Chairwoman Robyn Tobey Sweeting at robyn.tobey@yahoo.com. The deadline to submit interest in serving as an election monitor is January 12, 2023.
Housing Our Homeless
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.
Hialeah Turner-Foster scores 1000th Point
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!
LIHEAP Energy Assistance Available
Indigenous Art Reception at State House on January 25th from 1-3 PM
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.
School Vacation Childcare
Information and Guidance to RSV, COVID-19, and Influenza.
Youth Conference Opportunity in Washington D.C.
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.
Sacred Parenting Workshops Start January 9
Ribbon Skirt Making Class Ends January 10
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.
WLRP Noun Possession Class Starts January 12th
Food Pantry Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Diabetic Shoe Clinic
Clan Mothers Meetings Continue in the New Year
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.
Winter Weather Preparedness from MWT Emergency Management
As the majority of our Tribal Community resides and works in the Northeast region, we have had to contend with the effects of winter weather including winter storms the majority of our lives. Winter storms create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion
Tribe Announces Several New Hires
Dr. Phillips-Smart Resignation from IHS
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.
