Elders Judiciary Committee

The picture below includes EJC members that are no longer with us. We would like to acknowledge the passing of Marjorie Seagraves, (the third beautiful lady from the left) an Admired and Respected member that gave many years to the Finance department as the Finance Director. Upon her retirement she then gave herself to the EJC. Marj is very much missed by all who knew her rumor and intelligence. THANK YOU MARJ FOR ALL THAT YOU’VE DONE FOR YOUR PEOPLE OF THE FIRST LIGHT!!!

Vivian Bussiere and her sister Patricia Dotson both retired from the EJC in 2021 to Travel and enjoy Life. We want to Thank both for their many years of dedicated service to Tribal Court. Stay out of trouble you two and stay Healthy!

Marcella Furey, also retired from the EJC in 2021. Marcella gave many years to the EJC and decided it was time enjoy and reap the benefits of her Elders years.

The handsome guy on the left, Wilson “Bud” Harding is the only male at the EJC table. Bud started on the EJC on October 27th, 2007. That is almost 15 years of service to Tribal Court! His mind is sharp and without hesitation can remember things from years ago. I wanted to take this space to commend Bud for his years of dedication and perseverance to bringing our Tribal Court to where it is now. Not an easy task by any means!

This piece is not done, so stay tuned,

~ Nancy Rose, Court Administrator

Meet the EJC

Roxanne Brown - Tribal Council Liaison - I am the daughter of Mashpee Wampanoag Chief Earl H. Mills, Sr. and Shirley L. Mills, Navajo.  For many years I helped my parents sponsor the Mashpee Pow Wow; I was a tribal council member and member of the Federated Eastern Indian League (FEIL) and Coalition for Eastern Native Americans (CENA) during its infancy.  After attending high school in Falmouth, I attended Simmons College where I participated in the youth group at the Boston Indian Council, and was a regular on Indian radio, hosted by Al Oakley, Supreme Sachem of the Wampanoag Nation.  I received a Master of Education (Ed.M.) from Harvard University Graduate School of Education.  In the 1970's, I married James C. Brown, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, who passed in 2008.  I am the mother of 3 grown and remarkable children, Fawn, Nebasett, and Wamsutta; and the proud grandmother of Ava, Ella, and Olivia Brown, Louisburg, KS, and Bradley and Delaney Bennett, Austin, Texax.  I retired in 2013 from the Senior Executive Service, Bureau of Indian Education, as Associate Deputy Director (East). In that capacity, I worked with over 60 schools, both federally operated and tribally controlled, to meet the requirements of the "No Child Left Behind Act" and to address the newer Common Core Standards.  I am currently the Associate Director, Planning & Development for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.

Pauline Peters ~ I am the eldest child of Frederick P. and Frances (Bearse) Peters “the Hyannis Peters”. I am known to my siblings as “Sister”. I am a retired Pediatric Nurse. No only am I a member of the EJC, I’m a Peacemaker, a member of the Old Indian Meetinghouse Committee and the Museum Committee. I am also an active member of the Tribal Elders. As you can see I am very active in the Tribe.

Beverly Green Uhlman - I am the daughter of Gordon Green Sr., and Pauline Green. We lived on Rte 130 as most of my family did. We popped from one house to the other playing all day. My brother, Gordon (Brother) Green Jr., and I also had a little business in front of our house selling vegetables for many years.

After graduation I attended UMass Amherst where I received a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Institutional Administration. During the next 8 years I worked at Boston University in food service running the Faculty Staff Dining and then the Pub for the students. We also did catering for special events. In 1985 I returned to the Cape and worked for both Verizon and what is now Walgreens. I became a Pharmacy Technician and worked there until 2016. In 2016 I found an opportunity to work for Indian Health Services doing PRC until my retirement in 2018.

Marlene Perry - I am the daughter of Lucinda (Ludie) Hicks Lashley, who served on various tribal committees as well as Post Master of Mashpee. Just as my family before me I served my Wampanoag Community. Upon receiving my BS in Education from Bridgewater State University I taught school in Barnstable for several years, then returned home to the Quashnet School in Mashpee. I obtained my Masters of Education (Ed.M) in Diversity, interdisciplinary studies. I am wife, mother of three to, Shontel, Darryl, and Steven and grandmother of Devon, Jenaya, and Nitana. Presently I am retired but will continue to serve my tribal community.

Coreen Moore - New EJC Member as of April 13th, 2023. EJC nominated Ms. Moore to the position of Chairperson at our April 2024 Meeting. Ms. Moore was happy to accept.

WELCOME Ms. Coreen Moore as the new EJC Chairwoman!!!

Ramona Grant - Join the EJC as of September 12th, 2023. Welcome Ms. Grant to the EJC!

Steve Helme - New EJC Member as of July 27th, 2023. Welcome Mr. Helme to the EJC!!

lifetime HONORARY EJC MEMBER

Wilson “Bud” David Harding – Born on April 23, 1934 to parents Eleanor Pocknet Harding [Princess Blue Feather] and Charles Dean Harding [Chief White Feather] of the Wampanoag tribe.  Bud was raised in Bournedale, spending numerous times with my grandparents, Wilson & Nellie Harding, and Tink Barboza of Mashpee. Schooling included Sagamore grammar and New Bedford Vocational.  In the 50's he was on the Bourne Police force, serving as officer for 10 years.  After doing auto body repair for many years, he finally opened one in Fairhaven, MA in 1970.  Bud owned it for 34 years and sold it in 2004 in order to retire.  Then he had more time to re-introduce himself to the tribe as an Elder.  In 1970 Bud moved to Mattapoisett, Ma where he now has lived for over 38 years.  Bud has served on the Mashpee Wampanoag Elders Judiciary Committee from April 2006 to October 2024.

History and Tasks of the Elders Judiciary Committee  

• In the summer of 2006 seven elders of the Tribe volunteered to serve on the EJC and work on the development of a tribal court system.

• The EJC were considered Judges during this time and heard the first case in Tribal Court on February 18, 2007.

• The EJC interviewed 7 different attorneys and judges and recommended to the Tribal Council that Judge Rochelle Ducheneaux be appointed to serve as a Contract Judge.

• On October 8, 2008 the Judicial Ordinance developed by the EJC with the help of Attorney Mark Tilden and was presented to Tribal Council and accepted for posting. On November 22, 2008 the Mashpee Wampanoag Judiciary Ordinance was subject to Public Notice and Comment. The Tribal Council adopted the Judicial Ordinance on October 7, 2009.

• The Tribe was awarded a TCAP grant for the development of Tribal Court on September

• 2008.

• The EJC managed the two year TCAP grant and developed annual budgets in compliance with the grant.

• Two EJC members trained and served as Court Clerks

• The EJC interviewed Judges and recommended three judges to Tribal Council.

• On August 24, 2009 Henry J. Sockbeson was sworn in as the first Chief Judge of the Mashpee Wampanoag Supreme Court. Judges Rochelle Ducheneaux and Robert Mills were sworn in as Supreme Court Judges.

• Two EJC members were hired as Court Administrators.

• The EJC developed the Judicial Advisory Board in compliance with the TCAP grant.

• The EJC planned and implemented a Peacemaker training.

• The Chair of the EJC and Leslie Jonas of Development wrote an ANA SEDS TG grant for the development of infrastructure for the Tribal Judiciary.

• The EJC developed a brochure for Tribal Court and distributed a brochure to all Tribal Households.

• The EJC oversees and manages the ANA SEDS TG grant.

• The EJC developed an itinerary for the BIA visit and planned cultural events.