Toward the end of December, the daily new COVID-19 case numbers in Barnstable County remained very high. The 7-day average cases per 100,000 population per day was 37/100K, with 7-day average cases per day of 78 with an unclear trend. Positive test results received on both 12/25 and 12/26 were reported at (203 cases).

Also at the end of December, Barnstable County's 3-day case tally set another new record, 311 cases, between 12/14 and 12/26.

During the 14-day period from 12/6/20 to 12/19/20 Barnstable County added 997 confirmed cases, with a test positivity rate of 4.85%--slightly higher than the prior two-week period.

On December 8 the select board for the town of Eastham agreed to grant free access to all town beaches to any Wampanoag tribal member presenting a tribal ID card. The new rule took effect January 1, 2021.

This effort, in commemoration of the "first encounter" in Eastham 400 years ago came from a suggestion by tribal youth Nathan Mills when he appeared on the Eastham 400 series of online interviews this summer to talk about what it's like to be a Native youth on Cape Cod in 2020.

Joan Tavares-Avant - Granny Squannit ( Deer Clan Mother)
Carol Hendricks Wynn (Otter Clan Mother)
Amelia Peters Bingham (Turtle Clan Mother)
Shirley Ann Pells HighRock (EEl Clan Mother)
Anita Peters Little -MotherBear (Bear Clan Mother)
Marlene Lopez (Rabbit Clan Mother)
Janet Hendricks (Eagle Clan Mother)
Cherrie Frye Peters (Beaver Clan Mother)

Stitch by stitch, Anita “Mother Bear” Peters, citizen of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and Bear Clan Mother, sewed together blankets to keep tribal members warm and connected this holiday season.

With winter socials and cultural nights canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mother Bear said she has sewn more than 150 fleece blankets as a substitute for the hugs she wishes she could share with her tribal community.

“I miss being with my tribal people, and it’s just a way to show them that I’m thinking about them and hoping that they stay warm,” Mother Bear said.

The Text Illness Monitoring (TIMS) is a mobile texting tool used to monitor signs and symptoms of COVID-19 among persons who have been exposed to COVID-19, and as a tool for community monitoring of potential cases. As the numbers climb and turnaround time for test results has increased, enrollment is strongly encouraged in preventing the spread of the virus.

Toodie joined the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project in 2011 and has been a vital asset for nearly a decade! Having previously worked at Plimoth Patuxet, she brings an impressive foundation of Wampanoag culture and history to her role as a community educator, supporting our language work in the Mashpee Public Schools as well as in our Weetumuw School. In addition to language, Toodie has taught students everything from how to cut and dry deer meat and scrape the deer hide...to how to make a muhsh8n (traditional dugout canoe)... to how to dig for quahogs... and much more. Toodie has also been instrumental in creating many of the Wôpanâak language songs and videos we share with students to support their ongoing language acquisition.

There are several open positions at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. As of the date of publication the following positions are open. Please visit the Human Resource section of the Tribe’s website for complete position descriptions and details for applicants.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is available for the 2020/2021 winter season. LIHEAP is designed to help eligible low-income households supplement part of their winter heating service bills.

For more information, or to pickup an application for the 2020 season please contact Shakira Askew at (508) 477-0208 ext. 159 or at shakira.askew@mwtribe-NSN.gov. Applications are also available every Tuesday during the Lunch and Learn program from 12:30-1:30 PM at the Community and Government Center.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Food Pantry, located at the Community and Government Center, is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Noon to 4:00 p.m.

Since opening in the summer of 2014, the food pantry at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Community and Government Center on Great Neck Road North has served hundreds of tribal families in need.

AAA will begin in-person driving instruction for the required 12 hours behind the wheel at the Govt. Center parking lot on Tuesdays and Thursdays in January for those students who have completed the online classroom portion of the program. A new class of driver's education will begin in the Spring. Contact John (john.hanlon@mwtribe-nsn.gov) to get on the wait list. This program is provided free of charge.

Congress has included $15M in the FY21 omnibus appropriations bill to begin The World Language Advancement and Readiness Act. This program is a big win for advancing language programs, like our Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project (WLRP).

Starting January 2021, WLRP will be offering several community language classes to members of the four communities we serve (Mashpee, Aquinnah, Assonet and Herring Pond) plus individuals within their households. The courses include:

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. What is human trafficking? Human Trafficking is modern-day slavery, a criminal activity in which traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to control victims for purposes of commercial sex acts or labor services against their will. There are more Slaves now than in any time in history.

The Education Department is working with the Indian Education program to offer tutoring in all subjects at Mashpee Middle and High School on B days from 1:30-3:00 in the Indian Ed Room.

The Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project is pleased to provide staff, resources, and funding to support students within the Mashpee Public School (MPS) District who are seeking Wôpanâak language instruction and cultural enrichment. Generously supported by a grant from the federal U.S. Department of Education, WLRP provides the following services to students in the MPS Quashnet, Coombs, and Middle/High Schools:

HgA1C Testing will take place at the Mashpee Wampanoag Service Unit Clinic on Tuesday, January 19 and January 26 from 9 am to noon on both days. Call 508-477-6967 to schedule your appointment.

The Work Force Investment Opportunities Act (WIOA) at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is providing a wide range of services to support tribal members that are unemployed or underemployed prepare for a career change. With record unemployment and extended unemployment assistance from the state, now is actually a great time to build your skill set for a new career and WIOA has the support to make it happen.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Housing Commission have scheduled regular meetings online. The Commission will meet the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Dial-In #: (978) 990-5002
Dial-In Access Code: 443734
Online Meeting ID: mwthousingcommission483

Mashpee Health Service Unit have organized a monthly Grief Support Group. The group meets the first Wednesday of each month at 4:00 PM over skype. You may access the support group at join.skype.com/Ay61CCs4BFMS

The Health Service Unit recognizes the great loss the community is feeling at this time and how overwhelming this must be. Please be aware you are not alone and we can come together to support one another.