Everett G. Weeden, Jr. (Tall Oak), 85, of Charlestown, RI, passed away Friday, February 11, 2022, at the Westerly Health Center. He was a documented descendant of the Mashantucket Pequot, Narragansett, and Wampanoag tribes. A retiree from the University of Rhode Island. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Everett, Sr., and Bertha (Ramos) Weeden.

The Community and Development Corporation is hard at work seeking different opportunities and coordinating more outreach for community involvement. A survey will be released this month to get feedback on the community’s feelings towards solar energy, input on loan opportunities and more. The board encourages everyone in the community to participate as we are here to help develop the community and we cannot do that without your input. Our previous survey is still active and posted on our website as we want as much information as we can receive about our tribal members and their professional interests.

Several hundred Mashpee Wampanoag tribe members, friends, and fans attended the Mashpee High School girls’ varsity basketball game on February 9 to witness a young tribal member getting her 1000th point. And Amiyah Peters did not disappoint.

FEMA is currently accepting applications to the Youth Preparedness Council (YPC). It is an excellent opportunity for our Tribal Youth; Tribal member Hunter Tobey was previously selected onto the National YPC.

Last month the Native American Music Association announced top nominees for 2021 and once again GroovaLottos were on the ticket.

The GroovaLottos, a multi-Grammy nominated band, were nominated as Best Group/Duo of the Year. Joining the Mashpee Wampanoag GroovaLottos are Blackbird (Cherokee/Dakota/Yaqui), Black Lodge Singers (Blackfeet), Crazy Flute (Cherokee), Eagle & Hawk Liberty (Ojibway), The Ripcords (Onondaga Nation), Twin Flames (Inuit, Mohawk/Metis), and Young Spirit.

Covid-19 emergency funds are available through the Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & Islands for residents in need of assistance. Funds are available for items including badly needed car repairs, overdue utility payments, overdue rent payments and grocery purchases.

Eligibility for assistance is based on income. To apply call 508-771-1727 ext 173. Apply now before funds run out. Offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.

The Community Action Committee of Cape & Islands is offering free tax preparation. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) provides IRS certified tax preparers that will prepare both federal and Massachusetts (State) tax returns.

To receive assistance, you must call for intake and procedures at 508-771-1727 ext 200. Tax returns are facilitated in Hyannis and Martha’s Vineyard. For additional details, visit www.cacci.cc.

During their February 22, 2022 meeting, the Truro Board of Selectmen approved a measure to assure the rights of the Wampanoag and all indigenous people to have access to our ancestral water ways in that town. The declaration reads as follows:

"The Truro Select Board, on behalf of the citizens of Truro, returns to the people of the Wampanoag Nation now and forever their custom and practice to recreate on beaches owned or managed by the Town of Truro without cost or fee upon presentation of a current Tribal Card. The right to recreate includes making beach fires where permitted by the Town and within the numbers permitted.

Share information and foster public understanding of the history, culture, and lifeways of the Wampanoag people. Facilitate visitor engagement centering around the wetu and Three Sisters Garden outdoor exhibits, encouraging visitors to explore, discover, and and learn

Native peoples are invited to take the survey through March 31, 2022. This is your chance to make sure your voice, perspectives, and opinions on critical issues are present in conversations about the future of this country.

Tribal citizen Mwalim will be discussing the ways parents of students of color can elevate their child’s education in a live zoom on March 2 at 7:00 PM.

Mason Hendricks made the Dean’s List for the fall 2021 semester at Bristol Community College. Mason will graduate (with honors) in May with his associates in Social Services. He plans to continue his education at Bridgewater State College working towards his Bachelors. Mason is the proud father of Giavanna Francis Hendricks. He is the son of Jody Santagate and Lawrence "little Larry" Hendricks Sr. Big brother to Junie and Xavier. He is the great grandson of Francis Hendricks and the grandson of the late Lawrence "big Larry “Hendricks III.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Health Service Unit is now offering WIC. WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) that provides foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.

The Mashpee Wampanoag ICWA Department will once again host a series of Sacred Parenting workshops. Workshops will start on Monday, January 24 at 6 PM and continue through March 21. Receive $40 for each session you attend and a sacred parenting box with crafting supplies.