The Tribe’s Historic Preservation Department is establishing the Historic Preservation Commission per Chapter 3 of 2012-ORD-003. The Tribal Council instituted the Commission to provide advice to the Historic Preservation Department and to aid the Department in the protection and preservation of Tribal culture, history, language, historical sites, structures, cultural items, burial sites and other sites of significance.

The new commission includes two at-large seats that shall be appointed by the Tribal Council for a term of two years. There is no limit to the number of terms a commissioner may serve. Tribal citizens interested in filling one of the two at-large seats are asked to send a letter of interest to David.Weeden@mwtribe-nsn.gov.

The Commission's responsibilities shall include the following:

1. Assist the Department in developing Tribal Historic Preservation-related policies and procedures;

2. Identify lands suitable for re-interment with the assistance of the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer and the Repatriation Officer;

3. Recommend administrative or legal action to the Department under the provisions of the NAGPRA in consultation with the Tribal Council and the Tribe's legal counsel; and

4. Provide advice and assistance to the Department as deemed necessary and proper by the Tribal Council

In addition to the two at-large seats, the commission will include the chair of the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Museum, a representative from the Mashpee Wampanoag Old Indian Meetinghouse Committee, the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, the Chief of the Tribe, and the Medicine Man of the Tribe.

Please send letters of interest to David.Weeden@mwtribe-nsn.gov.