Granny Squannit last week visited Teaticket Mass for the first time in her life. She stretched screaming loud to the Owl for help. He could not help her because he was in the river taking a bath. Her brother went by cart and brought her home to” People of the First Light”. As a medicine woman, she rested in the backyard and pulled the leaves over her little legs and crooked feet.
Great Spirit, Dear Lord Jesus…
“Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart
To my instruction. For it is good to keep these sayings
Deep within yourself, always ready on your lips. I am
Teaching you today-yes, you- so you will trust in the Lord
(Proverbs 22 -17-19)
She came in the crack of my window at dawn with glasses on this time. They were made out of quahog shells and lots of wampum showing. The purple part, remember? Later Granny was wiping her big eyes because too many of her people are sick with CO-VID. We must think about where we live and respect Mother Earth to stay healthy says Granny.
It’s time to reclaim what Mashpee once looked like. Some of us remember, too many of us may not know.
Chief Vernon Lopez (Silent Drum) 99 years old still remembers “old Mashpee when it was a wooded area with pitch pine cedar, cranberry bogs, many wild medicinal herbs, and edible berries. We fished the bays, rivers, and ponds. Hunted the forests and ancient ways. There was what was known as up-street and down street. Traditionally we lived by the nature of Mother Earth through the astrological guidance of the sun, moon, stars, high and low tides. Our ancestors shared the stories and taught our own.”
You must not be naughty, try to care for each other, if you do Granny will not take you across the Atlantic waters where she will teach you how to respect yourself and others. You must follow your heart, not your feet that sometimes can take you to the areas of the (devils ugly engagements.) Granny is remarkable and has been watching for decades, let’s listen to her and our chief.
An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble,
But a reliable messenger brings healing. (Proverbs 13;17)
In my heart there comes a longing
While I stand in deep reverie
When I think of the old traditions
Ah the days that used to be.
I’m getting older, oh my people
Soon my sinking sun will set
But I beseech thee, Oh my tribesmen
Our traditions not to forget.
(Mabel l. Avant-Nakomis-Mashpee Wampanoag)
