July Mittark
Tribal Council Passes Ethics Ordinance
On June 12th, Tribal Council successfully passed the Ethics Ordinance, a document that has been in the works for years. The purpose of the Ethics Ordinance is to establish an Ethics Commission and the basic standards for it, strengthen tribal members confidence in the tribe’s government and administration, require accountability, and to enact as law the guiding principle that public office is a trust, and the officers and officials of the government are trustees. This ordinance pertains to all appointed officials, employees, and agents of the tribe.
The Ethics Commission must be established within six months of the passing of this ordinance. The Ethics Commission will be comprised of seven (7) commissioners each serving a four (4) year term. Initial appointments will go as follows:
Tribal Elders shall appoint one (1) Commissioner for a three-year term, and one (1) Commissioner for a four-year term.
The General Body shall elect one (1) Commissioner to a two-year term, one (1) Commissioner to a three-year term, and one (1) Commissioner to a four-year term. The
Tribal Council shall appoint one (1) Commissioner toa two-year term and one (1) Commissioner to a 4-year term.
After the initial appointments all terms will be four years.
Youth Council Hosts Field Day Event
Last months field day event was a perfect way for tribal youth to enjoy time outside in the sun. At the event there were fun yard games, water activities, a bounce house and food for the kids to enjoy. Thank you to the Mashpee Wampanoag Youth Council for organizing this special day for our community!
Wunee keesuq! Nutus8ees Jenaya “Precious Healing Star” Perry. Good Day! My name is Jenaya Perry, and I am the 2023-2024 Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow Princess! I am the daughter of Steven Perry and Tina Gomes. I am the sister of Devon Gomes and Nitana Perry. The granddaughter of Marlene and Steven Perry. The great-granddaughter of Lucinda Hicks Lashley and Ed Lashley and the great-great-granddaughter of Amanda Stella Gardner Hicks and Lafayette Hicks Sr.
I am now 21 years old, I have worked at the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Cod for 6 years, and I have decided to return back to school after taking the semester off to follow my passion of being an elementary school teacher!
When I was just a little girl I learned about the princess of our tribe, I learned what it meant to be the princess and how important the role was. It immediately became my dream, I worked my entire life to become the kind of person that would one day be the Mashpee Wampanoag Pow Wow Princess. It was an absolute honor to have been able to hold the title. The moment I was crowned will be one that I will forever cherish.
Explore Additional News in this month's Nashauonk Mittark
The powwow program for our 103rd annual Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow is now available on the Powwow Page. Special thanks to our sponsors who help make our annual homecoming possible!
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.
The tribe has teamed up with the Community Action Committee of Cape Cod and Islands to do a Health Insurance Enrollment at the Community and Government Center once a month. There will be trained navigators to assist tribal members in one-on-one meetings with applying, shopping and enrolling in a health insurance program.
The Youth Advisory Committee and Chief Earl Mills Jr. are hosting a Cultural Film Showcase on Friday, July 19th from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM. All tribal families are invited to view a screening of the short film The Wampanoags of Mashpee (1979) at the Community and Government Center. A discussion with elders will follow after the conclusion of the film.
The Wampanoag Rod and Gun Club on South Sandwich Road in Mashpee holds a benefit breakfast on the second Sunday of every month beginning at 8 am to 10 am. The meal includes a full breakfast of eggs, beans, a meat or fish special, toast, coffee, and juice.
Rumble on the Rez will take place at the Community and Government Center on August 3rd form 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM. There is still space for additional vendors, sponsors, and fighters. Please contact Stanley Dutra or Attaquin Weeden for more information
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Citizen, Bryan Tobey Jr., is one of the Top Track and Field and Football athletes to watch. At just 10 years old, Bryan is living up to his tribal name as “the Eagle that flies high”. When Bryan Jr. was only 9 years old, he had already helped his teams make it to 3 super bowls in AYF Football, earning two Championships
Congratulations to our Mashpee Wampanoag high school and college graduates for the class of 2024! Any graduates not noted should send their graduate information to Sassamin Weeden at sassamin.weeden@mwtribe-nsn.gov for recognition in next month’s edition.
Listed below are a few upcoming powwows in the region. More powwows will be added as information is provided.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) Archaeological Program will be conducting an Archaeological Reconnaissance and Intensive (Locational) Survey on Washburn Island as part of a Vulnerable Cultural Resources Adaptation Pilot Project. This multi-year pilot study is supported by state funding; and will enhance DCR's relationship with our Tribe and rekindle our associations to Washburn Island.
List of Committee and Board Seat Openings
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.
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.
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:
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
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.
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.
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.