By mid-March the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe had declared a state of Emergency, submitted a disaster declaration and relief request to the federal government, and activated the Tribal Emergency Operations Center. A FEMA Liaison Officer was in route to the Cape, and Director of Emergency Management Nelson Andrews Jr. began to execute his tribe’s emergency plan.

When he received the phone call from the Bureau of Indian Affairs at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 27, Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Cedric Cromwell had been hoping for good news.

The Tribe had been dealing with the ongoing pandemic: A week prior to the call, he declared a state of emergency for the Mashpee Wampanoag tribal nation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools were shut down, public buildings were closed, and he and the rest of the tribal council were scrambling to gather the resources their people would need to weather the crisis.

As the Covid-19 pandemic swept through the country leaving cities, towns and many tribal governments scrambling to adjust and acquire needed resources, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe activated its Emergency Plan. This plan allowed the tribe to jump to the front of the line for needed PPE resources to support the tribal community and Mashpee Indian Health Services with test kits, while others were still trying to define their needs. It’s also allowed the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to provide needed support to neighboring tribes, including Emergency Management Director Nelson Andrews personally delivering essential supplies to the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has postponed its 99th annual powwow, which had been scheduled for July, as the COVID-19 health crisis continues to impact public gatherings.

The postponement of the traditional celebration of Mashpee Wampanoag culture was announced on the tribe’s website in a post by the powwow committee.

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Indian Education is accepting bids for Phase I of our upcoming Youth Muhsh8n Project. The project will teach Native tribal youth how to make a muhsh8n from start to finish by using modern technology and the use of fire. Interested persons must have experience working with youth and pass a CORI background check.

Visit WLRP's website to fill out an application for your child (ages 3-7) to attend the primary classroom (Mukayuhsak Weekuw for preschool and kindergarten students) or the lower elementary classroom for Wushkeenune8ak Weekuw for grades 1-3).

Offshore Wind 101 is a 1 hour non-credit course offered by Cape Cod Community College that will be offered virtually on May 14th, 2020 from 10am-11am, and from 7pm-8pm. In a Zoom presentation led by 4Cs Instructor Chris Powicki, participants will learn about the offshore wind industry, and gain an overview of its history, technology, regulations, growth projections. He will also discuss the Offshore Wind and renewable energy careers and training pathways that exist and are being developed in our region. To register call Employment and Training Program Manager Marnell Cash at 508-477-0208 ext. 161 or email marnell.cash@mwtribe-nsn.gov.

United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA), along with Representatives William Keating (D-MA-09), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA-08), Katherine Clark (D-MA-05), Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), Joseph P. Kennedy III (D-MA-04), James P. McGovern (D-MA-02), Richard E. Neal (D-MA-01), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07) sent a letter to President Trump requesting that he direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to waive the traditional cost-share requirements for all COVID-19-related assistance for the Commonwealth's two federally recognized tribal nations, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal member Hunter Tobey was selected to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Youth Preparedness Council (YPC). Hunter received a letter of recommendation from Emergency Management Director Nelson Andrews after showing a strong interest in joining the YPC.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) is proud to build a National Native American Veterans Memorial to recognize the service of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian veterans in every branch of the United States of Armed Forces. As commissioned by Congress, the memorial will be built on the grounds of the museum just off the National Mall. The memorial designer, Harvey Pratt, is a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. A Marine Corps veteran, Pratt is one of 42,000 Native Americans who served in the Vietnam War.