Steven Peters
NATRI Job Openings – Help Shape the Next ...

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is currently seeking qualified applicants to help continue the important work of the Native American Teacher Retention Initiative (NATRI).

With 2.5 years remaining in the grant period, the Tribe is hiring to ensure continuity, growth, and long-term impact of the program supporting Native educators in Massachusetts.

Steven Peters
NATRI: Reclaiming Our Place in Education

The Native American Teacher Retention Initiative (NATRI) is more than a workforce development program — it is a pathway toward education sovereignty, representation, and healing for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and our relatives in Aquinnah.

At a time when Indigenous teachers make up less than one percent of educators nationwide, NATRI is working to ensure Native voices are present in classrooms, school systems, and educational leadership — spaces where decisions about our children have too often been made without us.

Steven Peters
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Celebrates Federal ...

Last month, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe joined Tribal Nations across the country in celebrating a historic and long-overdue milestone for our relatives, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, as they received federal recognition from the United States Government.

For more than a century, the Lumbee people have pursued recognition of their inherent sovereignty, identity, and right to self-governance. Federal recognition affirms a government-to-government relationship with the United States and restores access to critical tools and resources necessary to serve Tribal citizens and protect future generations.

Steven Peters
Garden of Memories Now Available: Preserving ...

Earlier this year, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) continued the important work of the Garden of Memories project — a community-centered effort to preserve, protect, and share the histories of Tribal members and ancestors.

Today, the Garden of Memories archive can be explored through digital kiosks located in the foyer of the Tribe’s Community and Government Center and at the Old Indian Meeting House, allowing community members to engage with photographs, records, and stories that reflect the lives, families, and experiences of Mashpee Wampanoag people across generations.

Steven Peters
Funding for Education Needs Available

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Education Department recently received local financial support to help meet the educational and enrichment needs of Native students in grades K–12. The Tribe gratefully acknowledges the Ernest Michael Helides and Evelyn Ponticos Helides Education Fund of The Cape Cod Foundation for their generous support.

Reducing Costs & Strengthening Internal Capacity

As part of the Tribe’s balanced 2025–2026 budget, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe took deliberate steps to reduce expenses and reinvest resources into essential services and its workforce.

Key cost-saving measures include:

  • Travel expenses reduced by two-thirds, from $148,000 to $49,000

  • Accounting consultant costs reduced by 55 percent, from $435,000 to $200,000

  • No salary increases for the Executive Council, including the Chairman, Vice-Chairwoman, Treasurer, and Secretary

These reductions reflect a broader effort to limit reliance on outside consultants and discretionary travel, while strengthening internal capacity across Tribal departments. The savings helped support investments in employee wages, cost-of-living adjustments, and critical programs serving housing, elders, education, healthcare, and public safety.

First Light Casino Leans Into What Makes a Native Casino Different

First Light Casino has been turning heads across the region with a new advertising campaign that does something rare in the gaming world: it has fun with itself while clearly defining what makes the property different in an increasingly crowded casino market in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In just a few short weeks, the campaign’s social videos have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times, drawing widespread attention and sparking conversation well beyond Cape Cod.

As the only Native American–owned casino in the region, First Light Casino occupies a unique space — one rooted in Tribal values, hospitality, and community. The recent series of short, humorous videos highlights that difference by leaning into authenticity, self-awareness, and the idea that a Native casino experience should feel welcoming, clean, and comfortable — more like home.

Housing Department Seeks Community Input on Tiny Home Development

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Housing Department is seeking feedback from Tribal members and community stakeholders on the potential development of tiny homes on Tribal lands at the Mashpee Wampanoag Village. This effort is part of the Tribe’s ongoing work to address the housing crisis and expand affordable housing options for Tribal citizens.

The Housing Department has identified resources and developed a conceptual approach that could support one- and two-bedroom tiny home units for Tribal applicants in need. Before moving forward, the Department is asking the community to share perspectives, concerns, and priorities to help guide decision-making and ensure that any future housing development reflects Tribal values and community needs.

NATRI: Reclaiming Our Place in Education

The Native American Teacher Retention Initiative (NATRI) is more than a workforce development program — it is a pathway toward education sovereignty, representation, and healing for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and our relatives in Aquinnah.

At a time when Indigenous teachers make up less than one percent of educators nationwide, NATRI is working to ensure Native voices are present in classrooms, school systems, and educational leadership — spaces where decisions about our children have too often been made without us.

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Celebrates Federal Recognition of the Lumbee Tribe

Last month, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe joined Tribal Nations across the country in celebrating a historic and long-overdue milestone for our relatives, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, as they received federal recognition from the United States Government.

For more than a century, the Lumbee people have pursued recognition of their inherent sovereignty, identity, and right to self-governance. Federal recognition affirms a government-to-government relationship with the United States and restores access to critical tools and resources necessary to serve Tribal citizens and protect future generations.

Latoya Green Appointed Chairperson of the Housing Commission

Chairman Brian Weeden recently announced the appointment of Latoya Green as the new Chairperson of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Housing Commission. The appointment was made under the authority granted to the Chairman through the Tribe’s Housing Ordinance.

Latoya Green brings valuable experience and dedication to the role, having previously served the Tribe on various committees, including the Indian Education Parent Committee. Through her service, she has demonstrated professionalism, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to supporting Tribal families and community needs.

Senate Committee Advances Long-Term Leasing Bill with Chairman Weeden Testimony

In a significant step forward for tribal economic development and sovereignty, the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has approved legislation that would give federally recognized tribes, including the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the authority to enter into 99-year land leases on trust lands — a major expansion of long-term leasing flexibility that tribal leaders say is critical for community planning, investment, and development.

The legislation, part of a broader package of tribal land and jurisdiction bills, was advanced by the Senate panel on December 17, 2025, and would amend the Long-Term Leasing Act of 1955 to allow tribes the option to issue leases of up to 99 years, replacing the current 25-year cap that has limited tribes’ ability to secure financing and pursue long-range economic projects.

Garden of Memories Now Available: Preserving Our Stories for Future Generations

Earlier this year, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) continued the important work of the Garden of Memories project — a community-centered effort to preserve, protect, and share the histories of Tribal members and ancestors.

Today, the Garden of Memories archive can be explored through digital kiosks located in the foyer of the Tribe’s Community and Government Center and at the Old Indian Meeting House, allowing community members to engage with photographs, records, and stories that reflect the lives, families, and experiences of Mashpee Wampanoag people across generations.

Tribal Members Encouraged to Seek Heating Assistance Through State with Closure of LIHEAP

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has ended for this year and is not accepting applications through the Tribe.

A federal government funding lapse and staff reductions at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services resulted in slower processing and distribution of LIHEAP funds this year, leaving programs unable to continue applications in the usual timeframe.

Because of these disruptions, Tribal members and families who continue to need help with home energy costs are encouraged to seek assistance through the Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which is administered by the state and may still be available to help with energy bills and related needs.

If you have questions or need help navigating available options, please contact the appropriate state agency listed on the HEAP website.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-home-energy-assistance-heap

Youth Council Meetings on Wednesdays

The Mashpee Wampanoag Youth Council is meeting regularly on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM with meetings being held both in person and via Zoom. The Youth Council is looking for more interested youth to join. The council is open to all tribal youth ages 13-21. For more information, please attend a Youth Council Meeting or contact Youth Council Liaison Secretary Landry at 508-419-5839 .

Share Your Stories with the Mittark

The Mittark has always been a place for the Mashpee Wampanoag community to stay connected — by sharing news, celebrating milestones, and honoring the people who make our Tribe strong. We invite Tribal members and families to help keep that spirit alive by submitting stories, updates, and announcements to be included in future issues.

Whether it’s a family milestone, a child’s achievement, an elder you would like to recognize, or a community event you want others to know about, your stories help strengthen the bonds that connect us as a people.

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