Newly formed youth group Mashpee Wampanoag Native Environmental Ambassadors successfully drafted and presented the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribes’ first Rights of Nature passage. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council voted unanimously on the State of Emergency for the Rights of Nature of Herring at the last Tribal Council meeting in April.

In partnership with the Bioneers and Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s Education Department, the youth group has been under legal and community advisement on executing this historic passage. The youth group has and continues to work with the tribe’s Natural Resource Department, Natural Resource Commission, Elders, Clan Mothers, and tribal operations to push the initiative forward.

The youth are declaring that Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal members are the natural stewards of this land, and that we have the responsibility to protect and advocate for herring in our traditional homelands. We will use our sovereignty and traditional ecological knowledge to pass tribal laws to give herring rights of nature and take authority of the runs back from the state.

The resolution passed declares the tribal government’s commitment to help save the herring.

NEA will host a Declaration of Rights of Nature for Herring Luncheon on May 13th at the Community and Government Center. Follow the Mashpee NEA Facebook and Instagram for more information.