On March 11 from 5:30-6:30 PM at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Community and Government Center, the Education Department Child Development Fund seeks input, from the tribal community, on cultural aspects of the interior and exterior design; landscaping and inclusion of indigenous plants; and curriculum options.

As many remember, the tribe submitted an application for construction of a childcare center, back in June 2019. Construction was approved in October 2019.

Over $1.2 million has been granted to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

As a part of Indian housing Block Grants totaling more than $655 million across the country, the money will be used to benefit affordable housing initiatives in the respective communities.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe received $813,474, while the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head was given $472,873.

Please join the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Education Department, the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project and Mashpee Indian Museum for family fun, activities, singing, dancing, fishing, and more at the annual Honoring Our Herring event. The family event will be held at the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Museum on Wednesday, April 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

There are two updates to share with the community in regard to the First Circuit Court of appeals in Boston and the separate case in the D.C. District Court.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Community Development Corporation (CDC) is currently seeking qualified tribal citizens to join the CDC Board of Directors. The CDC was organized to engage in activities that will promote the social welfare, economic security and community development of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and its enrolled citizens that will enable the Tribe to be self-sufficient and to provide economic support for its tribal citizens. If you are interested in serving as a CDC Board of Director, please send a letter of interest along with your resume/CV to Tribal Council Secretary AnnMarie Askew at AnnMarie.Askew@mwtribe-nsn.gov and carbon copy mwtcdc@mwtribe-NSN.gov.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Emergency Management Department received a notice in the month of January 2020 that the Tribal Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan was approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This very important plan has been under way for over the past four years. The process began with applying for and receiving a FEMA planning grant in 2016 by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Emergency Management Director Nelson Andrews Jr. Following the award approval, the planning process commenced and through years of risk assessments, research, writing and hard work which also involved the establishment of a hazard mitigation planning committee, the last step was to hire a contractor, conduct community workshops submit the draft to FEMA and receive Tribal Council approval as the final step.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Education Department Career Pathways for Tribal Youth have organized a series of events to engage native students in fun, educational opportunities and college preparation. Programs include college tours, career fairs and camping trips.

The programs are funded in part by The NYCP Building Pathways for Tribal Youth grant.

On February 25 staff from Senator Elizabeth Warren met with various tribal leaders and departments at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Community and Government Center. The staff were interested in gaining a better understanding of the many programs that are run from the Government and Community Center, including health services and the Tribe’s language immersion school.

The Pow Wow Committee is looking for Tribal Members to join the Committee for a 2year term to plan the 99th and 100th Annual Mashpee Wampanoag Pow Wow. If you are interested please send a letter of interest to Tribal Council Secretary Ann Marie Askew AnnMarie.Askew@mwtribe-nsn.gov or for more information contact Co-Liaison Councilman Brian Weeden at (774)413-0520.

The Youth Advisory Committee is looking for interested Tribal Members to join the Youth Advisory Committee to help support all youth activities and functions in our Tribe. If you are interested in helping our young citizens please send a letter of interest to Tribal Council Secretary AnnMarie Askew at AnnMarie.Askew@mwtribe-nsn.gov or contact Co-Liaison Councilwoman Winnie Johnson-Graham at Edwina.graham@mwtribe-nsn.gov or at (508) 645-8365.

The Education Department is gathering information on the schools and grade levels our Native youth attend. As we develop programming to recognize achievements of our youth, in academics, athletics, and cultural accomplishments.

Recently, a new coronavirus—2019 Novel (New) Coronavirus—was detected in Wuhan, China. This novel coronavirus causes a respiratory (lung) infection. As of February 25, there has been one confirmed case of this novel coronavirus in Massachusetts. The below information is from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) in addition to links with virus/preparedness info from the MDPH, the Center for Disease Control and a real time worldwide GIS dashboard from Johns Hopkins. - Research and write-up for this article is provided by the, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Emergency Management Department.

The 2020 U.S. census will be going out very soon. The government determines how to distribute more than $600 billion of federal dollars to programs, grants and Native American tribes through the data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau. Filling out the form truthfully and accurately remains one of the best ways to ensure the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe receives the correct amount of federal funding for community programs and services.

The United States Census Bureau is in need of people to fill a variety of positions in Bristol, Barnstable, Plymouth, Dukes and Nantucket County. Currently they are searching for individuals for the following positions: Field Supervisor, Office Supervisor, Field Operations and Office Clerk. All of these positions pay over $20 per hour. Also, they are in specific need for people on Cape Cod.

For more information, contact Employment and Training Program Manager Marnell Cash at (508) 477-0208 ext. 161 or at Marnell.cash@mwtribe-nsn.gov.

ssues that often contribute to elder abuse in communities in general, and in AI/AN communities specifically, include a lack of employment and economic opportunities and high rates of substance abuse. Many tribes and villages face issues in their communities, such as structural poverty. As the National Indian Council on Aging pointed out in their seminal work on elder abuse in Indian Country, “family economic situations and the level of dependency in intergenerational caregiving situations can be a risk factor for an abusive relationship” (2004, p. 8). This lack of economic opportunity in tribal communities often leads to greater financial interdependency within families; as a result, family members may take advantage of their elders by taking an elder’s money, by moving in with elders, or by overusing elders to provide care for the family members’ own children.

There is a vacancy on the town of Mashpee Historic District Committee. The vacant seat will be filled by a tribal representative that is appointed by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council. To qualify, you must be a citizen of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and a resident of the town of Mashpee. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please send a letter of interest to Tribal Council Secretary Ann Marie Askew AnnMarie.Askew@mwtribe-nsn.gov or mail to 483 Great Neck Road South, Mashpee, MA 02649.

The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center will hold monthly, farmers market-style mobile markets in partnership with The Greater Boston Food Bank. The produce market is from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Dates include: March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, August 10 and September 14.

The Tribe’s Education Department currently operates a Native Youth Community Project, for College & Career Readiness funded by a US Department of Education Demonstration Grant, which serves youth, grades 7-12, in the 5 Counties of Bristol, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Barnstable, which includes Mashpee. The grant, in its last year, offers paid Internship opportunities, group college and career exploration, Individual parent/child college visits, and college entrance preparation/tutoring. Contact Cameron Greendeer at (508) 477-0208 Ext. 178.