Last month the Tribe met with Taunton City officials at City Hall in Taunton. Tribal officials provided the City with an update on its land in trust and the positive news that Judge Young had denied a request by the Littlefields to reopen the case. It was also an opportunity for the City officials to meet with the new Tribal leadership.
Tribe Mourns Passing of Everett “Tall Oak” Weeden
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.
Community Development Corporation Update
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.
Amiyah Peters scores her 1000th point
Nor’easter Delivered Heavy Snow and Wind: Tribal Operations and Emergency Management Step Up
Last month a Nor’easter dumped over 2 feet of snow on Massachusetts. The Tribe’s Emergency Management Department, Operations, and volunteers from the community organized a comprehensive response to the storm. The team cleared access to homes, ensured generators and heating vents were working correctly and provided safe travel arrangements to a warming station that opened at the Tribe’s Community and Government Center.
Town of Mashpee Withdraws Hunting Ban Proposal
An effort to ban hunting on public lands in Mashpee was hastily withdrawn during a selectman’s meeting last month after Town Manager Rodney Collins fielded dozens of complaints and concerns.
Dozens of community members including many Mashpee Wampanoag hunters attended the meeting ready to voice opposition to the petition article proposed for the spring Town Meeting. News that the article was being withdrawn was met with applause and audible gratitude. However the withdrawal alone was not enough for Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Chairman Brian Weeden who addressed the select board to remind them of the Wampanoag time honored and hard fought rights to hunt and fish in their ancestral homeland.
Applications Now Being Accepted for Youth Preparedness Council
Wampanoag Ball Committee Seeking Members
There’s interest in the community to bring back our Tribe’s Annual Wampanoag Ball. If you would like to join the committee. please send a letter of interest to Tribal Council Secretary Cassie Jackson at cassie.Jackson@mwtribe-nsn.gov.
Powwow Committee Seeking Members: Plans Social for 2022
The Powwow Committee is looking for tribal members to help plan our annual homecoming. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the committee is planning for a social this year. If you are interested, please send a letter of interest to Tribal Council Secretary Cassie Jackson at cassie.Jackson@mwtribe-nsn.gov.
GroovLottos Nominated for Native American Music Awards: Vote Today
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.
Tribe Continues on Phased Opening
The Tribe has continued to monitor covid-19 levels in the community and make reasonable responses based on the data. The phased approach is staggered each 2 weeks to allow staff to review how changes impact the spread of Covid-19.
In February the Tribe was able to move from Phase 3B to Phase 3C. With no case rise or outbreak, the Tribe will progress to the next phases in March.
Barnstable County Has Covid-19 Emergency Funds Available
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.
Free Tax Preparation
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.
Truro Recognizes Tribe’s Aboriginal Rights
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.
TERO Seeking Trades Workers
The TERO office is looking for available workers in carpentry, roofing, drywall, electricians, plumbers, tree removal and other trades ASAP. For more information, please contact the Tribe's TERO Officer, Winona Pocknett at 508-477-0208 ext 112 or Winona.Pocknett@mwtribe-nsn.gov.
Heritage Museum and Gardens Seeks Indigenous Interpreter: Part Time, Seasonal Position
Indigenous Futures Survey
Curating Your Child's Education: A Presentation and Discussion with Mwalim
Mason Hendricks Makes Dean’s List: Graduating with Honors
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.
WIC Available at Health Service Unit
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.
