IMAGE: Calli Remillard/Enterprise
Article: By CEARRA O’HERN
Orange flowers decorated worn wooden beams and pews at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s Native American Thanks Giving celebration on Saturday, November 22. The ceremony, which highlighted Mashpee Wampanoag resilience and history, honored Medicine Woman June Ellen “Green Fire Lightning Woman” Tiexeira.
The 19th annual celebration welcomed almost 80 attendees inside the Old Indian Meeting House. Medicine Man Earl “Soaring Eagle” Cash Jr. started the ceremony.
Medicine Man first prayed for all families—especially those who experience substance use—and urged attendees to strengthen those families, not to overlook them. He emphasized the strength within all members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, including its women, children, elders and men.
“Every person here and not here has their own gift,” Cash said. “Not just to themselves or their family, but to the circle of the people. The strength that we carry as Wampanoag people is carried within us through our ancestors.”
Cash said he does not believe the Europeans “wiped us all out,” and that he cannot say enough about the Tribe’s current relationship with the community.
“We lived in these woods right beside them, and they did not even know it,” Cash said. “We are still here. Look at us. Our friends are sitting amongst us, wanting to hear some of the words we have to say as Wampanoag people. It has helped feed their souls as well as our own.”
Cash discussed the challenges the Tribe has encountered, as Tribal members have had to “walk with one shoe on and walk with a moccasin as well.” He asked attendees how long it took Tribal members to stop feeling foolish in their practices, and said the Tribe has gained resilience through its ancestors.
Cash finished his opening remarks by reminding attendees of the love he carries for the Tribe and its friendships. He then introduced Deacon Wayne Jackson of the Mashpee Baptist Church for the event’s opening prayer.
Jackson said he did not have a joyful spirit at the start of the prayer. He said he seeks the “sweet spirit of thanks” this season, and that his sentiment was about keeping each other together.
“For me, June is still right here,” Jackson said with tears in his eyes. “The most peaceful place I ever prayed was in her yard. I miss my sister. I see her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and I see her strength in them.”
Jackson said it is important that Tribal members teach children their ways and instill their love for future generations, as the Tribe owes so much to its ancestors.
“We are still here,” Jackson said. “I have all the faith in the world that we will always be here, that Mashpee will always be here and that our Tribe will always stick together.”
Jackson encouraged Tribal members to keep those who have died in their hearts, as the “spirit of sadness will disappear and the spirit of thankfulness will arise.” He reiterated that there is strength in the burdens carried throughout the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.
Chief Earl “Swift Eagle” Mills Jr. spoke about the history of the Old Indian Meeting House, as it is the oldest Native American church in the United States, and said the Thanks Giving ceremony gathers Tribal members to remember those who came before.
“When we come here, we remember those people who had shared of themselves so that people could benefit, so that the future would be better than the present,” Chiefie said. “We call that hope.”
Chief Swift Eagle finished his remarks by encouraging attendees to do something good for people here, people in the spirit world and people who are spirits who walk among us. He said all the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe wants is a good life for its members, its children and its children’s children.
Sagamore Vernon “Buddy” Pocknett spoke about survival during the event. Buddy said he wants Tribal members to understand its old ways, as without those ways, the tribe would be lost.
“As the Sagamore, my job is to try to make people understand that we have to go back to our roots and make sure our children know how to survive in this world,” Pocknett said. “It is crucial for us and our survival to continue this. When we continue this, we can become stronger.”
Jackson had attendees laughing out loud with a story about June Tiexeira, who he said brought “Wampdog” out by taking the time to teach rather than laughing at him for not knowing something. He said Tribal members must keep teaching and persevering in times of hardship.
The Elders Language Class then shared a Thanksgiving Prayer in Wôpanâak, the Tribe’s native language, as a reflection of its efforts to revive and reclaim the once-lost language. Vickie Wakanabo also shared a reading of the 23rd Psalm Hymn at the ceremony.
Near the end of the event, three women spoke in honor of June Tiexeira—her daughter, Bettejune Tiexeira, her granddaughter, Aria Tiexeira, and her great-granddaughter, Ivy Machado.
“Today, we come together in love, in gratitude and in deep respect for a matriarch spirit who moved like the wind—quiet when needed, fierce when called and always guided by the wisdom of her ancestors,” Bettejune said. “My mother was not only the heart of our family, but the root, the shelter and the unshakable ground beneath our feet.”
Bettejune said her mother was a true healer whose knowledge came from generations before her, and whose legacy will “echo long after us.” Her mother was a brilliantly vibrant woman, she said, who reminded Tribal members that their ancestry lives within them, not behind them.
Bettejune said her mother was the fiber that held her family together, protected traditions and carried teachings.
“She will always be the keeper of our stories, our safe place, our voice of reason and our source of unconditional love,” she said.
Aria Tiexeira and Ivy Machado then spoke at the celebration. The two girls’ readings were shorter, but just as moving. The girls shared how June Tiexeira took care of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and that when she cooked, she made more than food; she made comfort.
Jackson then encouraged attendees to embrace one another, and the ceremony was closed with a powerful honoring song on two traditional drums.
“June will never die, and we will never die, as a Tribe and as a nation,” Mr. Jackson said.
