August Mittark

103rd Annual Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow - Understanding the Ways of the Fire

This year’s annual powwow was a memorable event filled with singing, drumming, family, and tradition. Tribal members came together on powwow grounds to honor our culture, enjoy the food and craft vendors, and connect with those who have returned to Mashpee specifically for this annual homecoming. 

Drums from across the East Coast, Red Clay (Hollister, North Carolina), Young Blood Singers (Shinnecock, New York), Southern Eagle (Maxton, North Carolina), and Red Hawk (Mashpee, MA), shared their songs throughout the three-day gathering. Competitions were held for all ages, and various specials also took place. Head Lady Dancer Chayna Hendricks held her special “For the Love of Fancy” to celebrate and recognize girls and women who danced Fancy Shawl. Head Man Dancer DJ Peters also had a special to honor and uplift his style of dance, men’s grass. 

Our princess crownings were another highlight of the weekend that took place on July 7th. Our 2023-2024 Little Miss Wampanoag Misqua Wahan Strickland passed down the crown to our new Little Miss Ivy Machado. Ivy is the daughter of Norman Machado and Leah Tiexeira, and she comes from both the Mashpee Wampanoag and Narragansett tribes. Ivy has been in the circle her whole life, representing her people gracefully well before her crowning. Our Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow Princess Jenaya Perry passed the crown down to the new 2024-2025 Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow Princess Ciara Hendricks. Ciara is the daughter of Vice-Chairman Carlton Hendricks Jr. and Melisha Bingham-Hendricks. Ciara is a champion dancer, varsity captain, and student council member. Congratulations to Ciara and Ivy!

 
 

Rumble on the Rez - August 3rd

The annual Rumble on the Rez event will return on August 3rd from 12:00 PM—5:00 PM on Powwow Grounds. Rumble on the Rez is a community boxing event that raises awareness of the prevalence of substance abuse and provides resources to help those battling addiction. To sign up to fight or for more details, please text 781-217-1005.


Nutus8ees Ciara Hendricks. My name is Ciara Hendricks and I am the 2024-2025 Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow Princess! I am the daughter of Vice Chairman Carlton Hendricks Jr. and Melisha Bingham-Hendricks, the granddaughter of Carlton Hendricks Sr. and George Bingham. I am the great-grandaughter of Ellen Hendricks and Amelia Bingham.

I am 16 years old and entering my junior year at Mashpee Middle-High School. In my time there, I’ve become an active member of the 2026 Student Council and the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. I was elected as captain of the Varsity Lacrosse team and also play field hockey and basketball. I am also a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Youth Council.

 

Explore Additional News in this month's Nashauonk Mittark

Featured
chiefstanton1.jpeg
Upcoming Powwows

Below are a few local powwows hosted by our sister tribal nations as we continue the powwow season. Please visit the respected tribal websites for more information on attending.

Read More →
campfire_inspiration-1024x576.jpg.optimal.jpg
Community Healing Fire

A healing fire will be held on August 9th on Powwow Grounds from 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM at the Community and Government Center. August is Overdose Awareness Month and this healing fire will have a highlighted focus on healing in regards to substance abuse.

Read More →
449733753_955023396634021_5221237532837616027_n.jpg
Employment Opportunity - Village Site Contractors

Contractors are needed to assist in the creation of the 12 Acres village site. Work ranges in traditional skills including tree harvesting, bark peeling, weaving, longhouse construction and more. No prior experience is necessary. Please contact Talia Landry at 508-685-3357 for more information. 

Read More →
pexels-photo-1546168-993cf03cf03cf03c-990000079e04513c.jpg
Homeowners Assistance Fund Applications Open

The Homeowners Assistance Fund (H.A.F) program provides tribal members with a payment of up
to $2,000 to assist with mortgage payments (current or arrears), utility payments, or property taxes. This service cannot pay applicants directly. This program is on a first-come, first-serve basis until all funds have been exhausted.

Read More →
Indian_Health_Service_Logo.svg.png
Lorraine Reels-Pearson New Acting I.H.S CEO

In her 13-year career with Indian Health Service, she has provided leadership and management to multiple departments and healthcare programs serving in various roles. She currently is the Nashville Area Business Office Manager/Coordinator and the Acting CEO of the Mashpee Wampanoag Health Service Unit.

Read More →
Fiber-net-VS-broadband.jpg
Broadband Update at Sunday Meeting

The Broadband Task Force along with World Wide Technology LLC and their partner Fujitsu, will be providing an overview of the Mashpee Wampanoag Broadband project during the September 8th General Membership Meeting. They plan on providing an update on the project and answer questions from the community.

Read More →
Last call for Johnson O’Malley Program Student Count

Parents & guardians of Indian children age 3 – grade 12!  We need your participation to receive funding for this program launching in 2025. This determines funding for future years. Please fill out the student count form  no later than August 23, 2024.

Read More →
Screenshot+2024-01-26+at+10.23.35+AM.png
Community Survey - Native American Teacher Retention Initiative (NATRI)

This survey is intended to collect information about Wampanoag students' academic paths and feelings about school-based careers. Information will be relayed to both Education Department's in Mashpee and Aquinnah. All information provided is confidential. 

Read More →
MotherBearPhoto.jpg
Anita “Mother Bear” Peters Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Last month, Anita “Mother Bear” Peters received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tomaquag Museum during their 2024 Annual Honoring and Cultural Celebration. The celebration is meant to honor individuals who have demonstrated the characteristics of an advocate, a leader, a visionary, a mentor, and a teacher within the Indigenous community.

Read More →
MtHseTHPO.jpg
Richard Bourne Sunday Service

The Richard Bourne Service will be held Sunday, August 18th at 11:00 AM at the Old Indian Meeting House. Richard Bourne was a Christian preacher who evangelized to Wampanoag people in the mid-1600s. The annual service is held in partnership with the Mashpee Baptist Church and citizens of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. All are welcome to attend.

Read More →
449159553_10225347964752232_4438549093111269849_n.jpg
Rumble on the Rez - August 3rd

The annual Rumble on the Rez will return on August 5th from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM on Powwow Grounds. To sign up to fight, or for more details, please text 781-217-1005.

Read More →
Elders Meeting August 3rd

The Elders monthly meetings take place on the first Saturday of the month. Meetings run from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the Community and Government Center in the Council Chambers. All tribal Elders are welcome to attend.

Read More →

List of Committee and Board Seat Openings

Featured
wholeschoolphoto.jpg
Weetumuw School Committee

The Weetumuw School Committee is tasked with aiding the school's administration and periodically reviewing the schools educational, financial, and cultural goals and policies. The committee will be comprised of seven members, with each member serving a two-year term.

Youth Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee

The Youth Advisory Committee is looking for interested Tribal Members to join the Youth Advisory Committee. The committee’s main purpose is to consult with, and provide input to Tribal entities and Tribal individuals who desire such consultation in order to assist them with achieving maximum coordinated benefits for Mashpee tribal youth. Please send a letter of interest (LOI) to Tribal Council Secretary Cassie Jackson at Cassie.Jackson@mwtribe-nsn.gov if you would like to join the committee.

Old Indian Cemetery Commission
Old Indian Cemetery Commission

The Old Indian Cemetery Commission will be responsible for creating the cemetery policies, procedures, rules, and regulations to help preserve and maintain the Old Indian Cemetery. The committee will be made up of nine members comprised of the following:

Housing Commission
Housing Commission

The Housing Commission currently has two (2) open seats to be filled. Those who are interested may send an LOI to Secretary Cassie Jackson at cassie.jacson@mwtribe-nsn.gov

Education Committee
Education Committee

The tribe is looking to get the Education Committee back up and running. There are currently five open seats on the committee. The committee will focus on scholarship opportunities and educational programming for tribal youth. Those who are interested are asked to send a LOI and their educational background to Secretary Cassie Jackson at Cassie.Jackson@mwtribe-nsn.gov.

Community Development Corporation (CDC)
Community Development Corporation (CDC)

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Community Development Corporation (CDC) is currently seeking qualified tribal citizens to join the CDC Board of Directors. The CDC was organized to engage in activities that will promote the social welfare, economic security and community development of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and its enrolled citizens that will enable the Tribe to be self-sufficient and to provide economic support for its tribal citizens. If you are interested in serving as a CDC Board of Director, please send a letter of interest along with your resume/CV to Secretary Cassie Jackson, Cassie.Jackson@mwtribe-nsn.gov and carbon copy mwtcdc@mwtribe-NSN.gov.

Powwow Committee
Powwow Committee

The Pow Wow Committee is looking for Tribal Members to join the Committee for a 2-year term to plan the 103rd and 104th Annual Mashpee Wampanoag Pow Wow. If you are interested, please send a letter of interest to Tribal Council Secretary Cassie Jackson at Cassie.Jackson@mwtribe-nsn.gov.

footer_headbg.png
footer_headbg.png