Some 400 years ago our Tribal Nation had just turned the corner on a terrible pandemic that ripped through this land. Today, we find ourselves once again facing a rapidly spreading virus that has severely impacted the United States, the Commonwealth and our Tribal Nation.
The health and safety of tribal citizens, employees and the larger community we live in if our main priority. We must be vigilant and do our part to slow the spread of the Coronavirus. That’s why we have limited access to tribal facilities where appropriate and postponed, closed or canceled classes and events.
Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and participation in group activities can further spread the virus and lengthy the duration of the pandemic. It’s also our responsibility, as a Tribal Nation, to protect our most vulnerable population and elders. I ask everyone to conduct themselves in a way that preserves and protects those that we love.
Doing your part to help slow the spread of this rapidly spreading virus at this time entails; staying home when sick, those with serious health conditions and our elder population staying home and avoiding others, working from home when possible, avoiding social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people, practicing social distancing, staying 6 ft away from others, Not shaking hands, avoiding discretionary travel, and practicing good hygiene - washing hands frequently and disinfecting frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.
During this time, we as a Tribal Community must remain strong and look towards our Creator and one another for love and support for each other to ensure we stay safe together and check on one another, in particular our elder and most vulnerable members.
Please listen and follow the guidance that MWT Emergency Management Director Nelson Andrews Jr has provided to our Community through eblasts, our Tribe’s Website and Tribe’s Social Media pages to ensure your Health and Safety, during this Pandemic Coronavirus outbreak. These updates are being provided in coordination and through shared guidance with local, tribal, state and federal public health and emergency management partners.
Our Community and Government Center remains closed as of now, due to the Coronavirus outbreak with limited access for essential employees and essential work deliverables.
While you may not physically enter the Community and Government Center, we have setup remote work stations to ensure the vital programs and services our people rely on continue to operate. Our Tribal Departments have their department office numbers forwarded to their cellular phones to ensure service delivery continues and have access to their MWT voice mail boxes as well. All Tribal Departments are checking emails/voicemails and responding to them.
I want to personally Thank Our MWT Emergency Management Team led by Nelson Andrews Jr, and our Mashpee Wampanoag Health Service Unit (IHS) Lead by Rita Gonsalves in their efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of our Tribal Community. We are a strong and resilient people and we will overcome this. We must be sure to adhere to the guidance and do our part in the slowing the spread of the Coronavirus.
Kutâputunumuw;
Chairman Cedric Cromwell
Qaqeemasq (Running Bear)
