Wunee keesuq Tribal family,

I’d like to thank each and every tribal citizen that participated in the election on February 10 – participating as a candidate, volunteering at elections and casting a vote. We had 472 Tribal Citizens come out and vote in our 2019 election. This serves as a symbol of a strong, healthy and engaged tribal body that cares about the direction we move as a nation over the next few years.

I also want to thank our tribal body for exercising your sovereign rights, providing positive energy into the process and taking time out of your day to attend the elections at our Community and Government Center. Your voice was heard.

With nine actively engaged candidates that ran spirited campaigns for six Tribal Council seats in the election last month, along with several strong write-in selections, our tribal body had a wide array of choices. And in the end your votes and voice selected three incumbents and three new council members to serve our tribe over the next four years.

I look forward to continuing our work at the council table with Councilman Carlton Hendricks and Councilwoman Winnie Johnson-Graham and Councilwoman Yvonne Avant. I also want to welcome our three new council members Brian Weeden, Rita Pocknett-Gonsalves and Aaron Tobey, Jr., and working cooperatively with them in the best interest of our tribal nation.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: while it’s easy to complain and citcize, it takes strength to take on the actual challenges of governing and to find solutions to the issues we face on a daily basis. And for that reason, a note of gratitude is in order for not just the winners but also those that were not elected. I sincerely hope they will remain active and engaged in tribal government.

I also want to thank our election committee and all of the Election Day volunteers. Organizing the elections, certifying the candidates, registering voters, hosting an election forum and countless other tasks have not gone unnoticed. I understand all to well the commitment and dedication required to organize an election and want to express my sincere thanks for the great work they have done.

By coming out and voting you not only have a voice in the people that will serve our Tribe, you also have a voice in the direction we move forward with and the vision we share for a brighter Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. I truly believe that a rising tide lifts all boats and promise to work tirelessly over the next few years to lift up all Mashpee Wampanoag people.

Kutâputunumuw;

Chairman Cedric Cromwell

Qaqeemasq (Running Bear)