Wampanoag citizens from all tribal communities are invited to an information session hosted by the Wampanoag Advisory Committee to Plymouth 400 and SmokeSygnals to learn about exhibits, events and activities being planned for the upcoming commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the Mayflower upcoming in 2020. The two-part session to be held at the Mashpee Wampanoag Government Center on Saturday, January 12 from 11 am to 2 pm will invite input and seek tribal artisans to participate in an historic wampum belt project.
The opening session will be devoted to the Wampanoag Advisory Committee, made up of citizens of the Aquinnah, Herring Pond and Mashpee tribes. They will outline the work that has been done to develop programs and exhibits including “Our” Story: 400 Years of Wampanoag History.
The second session will be devoted to SmokeSygnals which has been funded by the British Arts Council to manage an 12-month project to produce a six foot long wampum belt of more than 9,000 beads. The belt will be made exclusively by Wampanoag artisans over the next 12 months and will be exhibited in England before it is brought back to the Wampanoag community in November of 2020. Artisans interested in qualifying to work on the project should attend this session to learn about what will be required of them.
Chowder and refreshments will be served between the two sessions.
Island residents must rsvp for a free shuttle service to the info session to be provided to and from Woods Hole meeting the ferry departing Vineyard Haven at 9:30 am and arriving in Woods Hole at 10:15 am. Island participants will be returned to Woods Hole for the 3:45 ferry back to Martha’s Vineyard. To reserve a shuttle ride please contact Paula Peters at paula@SmokeSygnals.com.
Wampanoag Advisory Committee:
Linda Coombs, Aqinnah Wampanoag, Plymouth 400 Board Member
Steve Craddock, Aquinnah Wampanoag, Plymouth 400 Board Member
Darius Coombs, Mashpee Wampanoag
Jim Peters, Mashpee Wampanoag
Kitty Hendricks, Mashpee Wampanoag
Bettina Washington, Aquinnah Wampanoag
Hazel Currence, Herring Pond Wampanoag
Paula Peters, Mashpee Wampanoag
