Governor Healey Visits Reservation Lands

Governor Maura Healey was welcomed to Mashpee on November 19th and was given a multi-stop tour of our reservation lands. The visit began at the Mashpee Wampanoag Museum, where Clan Mother Anita “Mother Bear” Peters led Governor Healey through the building as she detailed Wampanoag culture and history. 

Following the museum tour, Governor Healey was brought to the Old Indian Meeting House, where she got the special treat of speaking with Chief Earl ‘Flying Eagle’ Mills Sr. There, he discussed the importance of the meeting house and shared sentiments about his life growing up in Mashpee and what the church meant to him. 

Her third stop was to the Community and Government Center, where the Governor was able to not only see the facility, but she also got to pay a visit to the Weetumuw School. The children gifted Healey with braided sweetgrass and wampum to thank her for her visit. While on the property, she also made a stop to Indian Health Services to meet their staff. 

Granting Herring Pond State Recognition

The day was memorable not only for the Mashpee Wampanoag but for the entire Wampanoag Nation, as Governor Healey also signed an executive order granting state recognition to our sister tribe, the Herring Pond Wampanoag. Executive Order NO. 637 states in Section 1. 

“Like the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, and the Hassanamisco Nipmuc Tribe, the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe is recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribal Council is recognized as its governing body consistent with, and for all purposes under, Executive Order No. 126.” 

Chairman Brian Weeden commented on this monumental decision, stating

“Governor Healey and her administration continue to show up for the Wampanoag Nation in significant ways. We’re thrilled for our cousins in the Herring Pond Tribe that the Commonwealth has officially recognized their ancestors’ perseverance in remaining on ancestral lands.” 

The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe appreciates the support shown by Governor Healey, and we will continue the collaborative government-to-government relationship between the tribe and the state of Massachusetts.