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June 2019 Mittark

House Passes Legislation to Reaffirm Wampanoag Land In Trust

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Legislation that would reaffirm the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s federal land in trust was approved by the House on Wednesday, May 15.

The bill, which was reintroduced by Congressman Bill Keating, was approved 275-146 in a crucial step toward building a $1 billion resort casino in Taunton.

Last year, the Department of Interior reversed a previous decision to hold 321 acres of land in Mashpee and Taunton in trust following a federal lawsuit that challenged the process.

The Interior Department ruling said the tribe didn’t qualify to place the land in trust because it wasn’t under federal jurisdiction when the Indian Reorganization Act passed in 1934.

Since then, the tribe has been trying to secure federal legislation that would end all challenges to their land in trust.

 

Chairman's Column

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Wunee keesuq Tribal family,

It’s truly unfortunate that we have a single tribal council member that continues to spearhead a campaign to derail our efforts to secure our land, our community service programs, our culture and the education of our next leaders. Disagreement among policy and procedure is expected and healthy in government, but this is not what’s happening. Material is continually leaked to local news outlets and misinformation is spread among our community.

We cannot subscribe to the divide and conquer mentality, which is not a Mashpee way of life and does not embody the values our ancestors have given us. We must join together to show the world that we are focused on the advancement of our Mashpee Wampanoag people with love, togetherness and thoughtfulness.

 

Tribe Receives ADA Accessible Passenger Vans

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FTA Region 1 staff met with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe on May 22, 2019 to see the results of the recently awarded FY18 Tribal Discretionary Award for two ADA Accessible Passenger Vans.  The vans, delivered on May 21, 2019, will serve as a vital form of transit for it’s members and the general public. The handicap-accessible vehicles will allow them to better serve Tribal members with those specific needs while eliminating any possible gaps in service ability. Furthermore, this enables the Tribe to not only maintain their current transit efficiency, but also increase their efficiency through expanded routes and scheduling opportunities, which will inherently increase ridership. The Tribe continues to make strides in their public transit system with future plans of expansion to further serve their members and neighboring communities!

 

Explore Additional News in this month's Nashauonk Mittark

Featured
Tribal Departments Participate in Wildland Firefighter Training

During the month of April some staff from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Emergency Management Department, Natural Resource Department and AmeriCorps program participated in wildland firefighter training on Joint Base Cape Cod. Some of the tribal members also participated in a prescribed burn at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s Holland Mill North burn unit located behind the Community and Government Center.

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FY 2019-2022 TRIBAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM (TTP) CONTROL SCHEDULE

As required by the Code of Federal Regulations, 25 CFR 170.421 and 170.422, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is required to identify and publish all Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) funded projects and activities that are expected to be carried out over the next four years, along with the projected costs.

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NRD Seeking Bids for Catering

The Natural Resources Department is seeking bids for catering services. The contracted services are needed for Traditional Wampanoag Lunches for 18-20 people for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from the dates of July 9 through August 1 served at different locations. Bids will be accepted until 4:00 PM on June 23, 2019. Visit www.mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov/natural-resources for the complete BID package and instructions for submitting a proposal.

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CDC Seeking Tribal Citizen to Join Board of Directors
CDC Seeking Tribal Citizen to Join Board of Directors

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Community Development Corporation (CDC) is currently seeking Two (2) qualified tribal citizen 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 Francie Dottin, executive administrative assistant to the chairman, francie.dottin@mwtribe-nsn.gov and carbon copy mwtcdc@mwtribe-NSN.gov by July 1st, 2019.

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Emergency Management to Provide Info on Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan at June General Membership Meeting

The Emergency Management Department will be presenting information on a new Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan and seeking input from the community at the Sunday, June 9 General Membership Meeting at the Community and Government Center.

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Annual Indian Education Program Potluck Social

The Mashpee Public Schools Indian Education Program will be hosting its annual Potluck Social on Tuesday, June 18 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Mashpee Middle High School Gymnasium. The event is kid friendly and open to the public.

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Historic Preservation Seeks Images and Memorabilia from the first National Day of Mourning
Historic Preservation Seeks Images and Memorabilia from the first National Day of Mourning

The Tribal Historic Preservation Department is working with the Smithsonian to develop an exhibit, while creating opportunities for Tribal members to be involved throughout the development process. To support the project, Tribal Members are asked to send photos and memorabilia from the first two years of the National Day of Mourning. For more information, please contact David Weeden, interim tribal historic preservation officer (THPO)/Director, at David.weeden@mwtribe-nsn.gov.

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New Hire for Tribal Court

Tribal Court would like to welcome Maria Turner as the new Court Administrator.  Maria is a member of the Natick Nipmuc Tribe.  She holds Master Degree in Education and Counseling.  Maria has held several different positions and has recently retired from the Department of children and Families.  Maria formally worked for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe from 1989 to 1993 in the capacity of Director of Jobs Training Partnership Act.  Her experiences include advocacy, mediation and court intervention.

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Our Children Need You! Foster an ICWA Child

ICWA is currently seeking foster parents. Do you have room in your heart to pro- vide a Native American foster home for our future generations? Our Native children of all ages, from infancy to teens that are being removed from their families at an alarming rate by the State. Department of Children and Families (DCF) and some are being placed in non-native homes.

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Update Your Contact Information

Did you know There are 400+ tribal members that we do not have contact information for?

Some Grant and Funding requests cannot count them without an address. We could be losing money if we can’t count them. The U.S. 2010 Census did not include Mashpee Wampanoag as a tribe. Taking the 2020 Census has important potential to increase our funding. Additional funds came into Housing in 2017 because we updated membership numbers with HUD. U.S. 2020 Census is important for you to complete, “Shape our Future. Start Here”

Contact the Enrollment Department to update your contact information or visit the Enrollment Department online at https://mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov/enrollment and click on the “Change of Address” button at the bottom of the page.

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Four-Week Diabetes Program Starts June 6
Four-Week Diabetes Program Starts June 6

Mashpee Indian Health Services will be offering a four-week diabetes program. The diabetes program will begin on Thursday, June 6 (program held each Thursday) at 1:30 p.m. at the MSU Administration Building located directly behind the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Community and Government Center. Classes will run June 6 through June 27.

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Dine to Support Powwow at Mashpee & Falmouth 99

Eat at the 99 Restaurant on Wednesday, June 12 between 5 PM and 9 PM to support the Maspee Wampanoag Powwow Committee. All you have to do is show the flyer and 15% of your bill will directly support the 2019 Powwow. Dine for a cause at the 99 and please spread the word.

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Razors Available at the Food Pantry

The food pantry has added the Gillette Fusion 5 Proglide to its inventory. To receive razors, stop by the food pantry during normal hours.

Food Pantry Hours

Monday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday

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List of Committee and Board Seat Openings

Featured
Open Seat on the Election Committee

The Election Committee is looking fordedicated tribal members to assist with the election process.  If you are interested in serving on the committee, please send a letter of interest to Francie Dottin, executive administrative assistant to the chairman, at frances.dottin@mwtribe-NSN.gov

Open Seat on Enrollment Committee

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe currently has an open seat on its Enrollment Committee. One of the most important responsibilities of the Enrollment Committee is to review enrollment applications. Please visit the Tribal website at https://mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov/enrollment to review the Enrollment Ordinance.

If you are interested in serving as an Enrollment Committee member, please send your letter of interest to Francie Dottin, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Chairman, at Francie.Dottin@mwtribe-NSN.gov.

Land Use Committee Seeking Members

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is looking for tribal members to serve on the Land Planning and Use Committee.  This committee’s duties will consist of land use planning and land acquisition recommendations. The committee will consist of nine tribal members who will serve in two-year staggered terms. If you are interested in serving on the Land Planning and Use Committee, please send a letter of interest along with your resume/CV to Francie Dottin, executive administrative assistant to the chairman, francie.dottin@mwtribe-nsn.gov.

Open Seat on the Housing Commission

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe currently has an open seat on its Housing Commission. The Housing Commission is tasked with policy-level goals, determinations and policy review that guide the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Housing Department.

Duties and responsibilities of the Housing Commission include, but are not limited to creating the Indian Housing Plan (IHP), policies, and enforcement of housing-related tribal law, department oversight and regulatory compliance.

Powwow Committee Seeking Members

The Powwow Committee is currently looking for dedicated tribal members to join the committee. The Powwow Committee is responsible for organizing the Tribe’s annual homecoming, our largest event held each year. For more information about the committee, please contact Committee Chairman Brian Weeden at (774) 413-0520. Letters of interest can be sent to Francie Dottin, executive administrative assistant to the chairman, at frances.dottin@mwtribe-nsn.gov.