Our Circle (Continued)
“ …In my heart there comes a longing
while I stand in deep reverie…
…Oh! My tribesmen, our traditions
not to forget”
—Sachem Mabel L. Pocknett Avant (NOOkMis), 1892-1964
I heard the Mashpee town selectmen recite the “Pledge of Allegiance” to America before their meeting, singing the words ”justice is for all.” It’s justice for you, not us—the Mashpee Wampanoag people— because we don’t have our land!
Now it’s different that the land is coming back to us as it should be. I am so happy and smiling, All of Mashpee land has spiritual significance to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Our ancestors told the cultural stories on our land. Most of you voted Monday night for land to be given back; that is justice. Thank you forever.
Did you know that when Mashpee was created in 1665, Sachem Weppuish and Tookenchosin granted the area around Mashpee Pond, Santuit River and Waquoit Bay to the local indians “forever” and not to be sold or given away.
Cjigkitoonuppa-Slow Turtle, Medicine Man of the Wampanoag Nation (1930-1997), states: “From the very beginning man was made clear that his task…was to preserve the land for those to come. We speak of seven generations to come. We all know that the Earth sustains us by watching nature. The muskrat still possesses the knowledge he had in the beginning. The Indians built their homes the same way. Today people would call such a story a legend. It may be, but legends are pictures that contain deep truths; that the Spirit, itself, works through nature and that by reading her script, we can form our lives in harmony with the Creator…. This Spiritual view toward life had its roots in Indian view of each individual human being. The sense of sovereignty of this self is still central to my people…. There is an intuitive wisdom in my people, a wisdom that has its source in the heart.
The white people have another sort of wisdom; one might call it reason. It has light with which it analyzes and divides, but, if that division is not going to lead to disintegration, it needs warmth that unifies again, that has been and still is offered in this land.”
There is a book titled “This Land Is Their Land,” by David J. Silverman. Read it! May help you realize your understanding about our Mother Earth the creator gave us and Mashpee Wampanoags—people of the first light.
Yes, yes, yes, for your next voting; again, thank you!
