Mashpee Wampanoag Voices Needed at Town Meeting for Clean Water

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal citizens and community members are encouraged to attend the May Mashpee Town Meeting, where several warrant articles related to clean water, wastewater planning, land protection, and natural resources will be considered.

Town Meeting will be held on Monday, May 4, at 7:00 p.m. at Mashpee High School, 500 Old Barnstable Road.

For the Mashpee Wampanoag people, clean water is more than an infrastructure issue. It is connected to culture, health, fishing, shellfishing, foodways, ceremony, homelands, and our shared responsibility to future generations. Decisions made at Town Meeting can have a direct impact on the lands and waters that have sustained our people since time immemorial.

Among the clean-water-related items before voters is Article 4, which would support planning and design for wastewater collection, treatment, and recharge initiatives in the Waquoit Bay Watershed. Other articles would support waterways engineering and dredging, strengthen wastewater planning and operations, continue support for septic system repair and upgrade loans, and protect remaining land at Gunters Lane for conservation, open space, passive recreation, and appropriate cultural access.

Together, these articles reflect the ongoing work needed to reduce nutrient pollution, protect Mashpee’s ponds, rivers, bays, and coastal waters, and ensure that future generations inherit a healthy environment.

Mashpee Wampanoag people have always understood that the health of the people is connected to the health of the land and water. Showing up at Town Meeting is one way to make sure Tribal voices are present when decisions are made about our homelands, waterways, and future.

Tribal citizens, families, and community members are encouraged to attend, listen, speak if moved to do so, and help support clean water for the generations coming after us.