
August Mittark
Photography by Rob Adelman
104th Annual Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow - Connecting the Generations
The 104th Annual Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow was a beautiful celebration of culture, connection, and community. Held on Powwow Grounds, the three-day homecoming featured all of the customary elements of a Mashpee powwow: food, crafts, singing, drumming, and dancing. This year's Head Man Dancer was Asa Peters, and Head Woman Dancer was Anaquhsees Pocknett. Arena Director was Chairman Brian Weeden, Emcee was David Pocknett Jr., and Host Drum was Wicozani.
Each day of the powwow had a program filled with both dance competitions and various specials held by tribal families. Fireball ceremony took place on the second evening of powwow, and the Sly Fox Mishoon race and traditional clambake were both hosted on the third day. This year's clambake was held in honor of our beloved 'Clambake Master' Medicine Woman June "Green Fire Lightning Woman" Tiexeira, who made her journey to the spirit world earlier this year.
Tribal Elders Talking Circle - Offshore Wind

Tribal Elders are invited to share their thoughts on offshore wind and a costal energy toolkit for tribes on Thursday, August 14th from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM at the Community and Government Center. Participants will receive a $100 stipend and a traditional lunch made by Buddy and Renee Pocknett will be provided. Please RSVP with Donald Peters by Monday, August 11th if interested.

Wunee Keesuq,
I am writing to you all with exciting news regarding the tribe's casino in Taunton. First Light Casino underwent a major expansion on July 28th, significantly increasing the size of the casino floor and expanding its game offerings from 54 to over 200 machines.
From initially opening our modest 10-machine Welcome Center six months ago, to now being able to say that we have a casino on our homelands, it has been rewarding to just see how far we've been able to come in this short amount of time. We all know that the hopes for a Mashpee Wampanoag casino have been long-awaited, and I'm proud to say that all of the hard work that's been put in is now making this community vision come to fruition.
Explore Additional News in this month's Nashauonk Mittark
Groups of stomp dancers will stomp continuously for 24 hours outside of the Community and Government Center until a symbol, representing All of Us, is etched into the grass. This healing path will memorialize all of the those touched by addiction, suicide, abuse, murder, and symbolizes the healing of Mother Earth. Our community has suffered great losses to addiction, suicide, and murder and is event is meant to help address this by sharing this healing ceremony.
There are open spots at the Mukayuhsak Weekuw Early Education classroom for children ages 2.9 to 6 years old. If you are interested in enrolling your child please complete the application below.
A one-day intensive of WLRP's beginner workbook, providing new learners or those who want a refresher, the foundations of Wôpanâak. This class is fast paced and will be completed in one day. If you prefer a different pace, please register for a standard paced Beginner's class.
There are various annual community events coming up at the Old Indian Meeting House. Events are open to all who would like to attend:
The annual Rumble on the Rez event will return on August 23rd from 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Powwow Grounds. Come out for a day of community, boxing, and healing. This event aims to raise awareness and fight back against substance abuse — together!
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Historic Preservation Department proudly congratulates the participants who completed the 2025 Tribal Archaeological Field School Training and GIS Data Collection Training. David Pocknett Jr. and Cheenulka Pocknett successfully completed both trainings and received certificates of completion for their hard work and dedication.
The Mashpee Wampanoag Native Environmental Ambassadors will be hosting a Rights of Nature Symposium at the Community and Government Center from August 12th - August 14th. Participants will discuss and learn about the Rights of Nature initiative, and participate in an intertribal cultural exchange through song, dance, and food.
Tribal member Paris Widdiss-Hendricks has been showing her strength on and off the field as a student athlete at Hampton University in Virginia. Paris is a a member of the Women’s Lacrosse team for Hampton, and was recently awarded with the title of 2025 Transition Player of the Year by the Next Collegiate League (NCL).
Earlier this summer, in collaboration with two dozen local Indigenous advisors, essayists, and artists, the Little Compton Historical Society opened to new exhibits and published a book in honor of the Sakonnet Wampanoag People. Members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (and other Native communities) are invited to visit for the next two years at no cost.
There are currently multiple open positions at the MWT Community and Government Center to be filled. To learn more please visit the jobs page. For questions or concerns please contact Kayla Gomes at Kayla.Gomes@mwtribe-nsn.gov or 508.477.0208 ext. 145 .
Wondr Nation will be hosting a 2025 Tribal Entrepreneur Symposium on Thursday, August 21st at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum. This FREE one-day symposium will have content relevant to ALL entrepreneurs and small business owners with special topics specifically related to the unique perspective and needs of tribal entrepreneurs and business owners. Gain valuable insight to help on your entrepreneurship journey!
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Historic Preservation Department (THPD) is inviting enrolled Tribal members to participate in an exciting collaborative effort to review and assess researched Harvard materials and digital collections relative to our history and community.
List of Committee and Board Seat Openings
There are open seats on the Constitution Committee for the purposes of overseeing constitutional reform including the amendment approval process and presentation to the tribal membership. If you are interested in joining the constitution committee, please send a letter of interest to Secretary Landry at Talia.Landry@mwtribe-nsn.gov for Tribal Council approval.
There are open seats on the Mashpee Wampanoag Ball Committee. Committee members will help plan the next ball. Those who are interested in joining should send a letter of interest to Secretary Landry at talia.landry@mwtribe-nsn.gov.
There are currently 5 open seats for committee members to serve a four year term. If you are interested in serving on the Cybersecurity Planning Committee, please send a Letter of Interest to Secretary Landry at talia.landry@mwtribe-nsn.gov
The Weetumuw School Committee is tasked with aiding the school's administration and periodically reviewing the schools educational, financial, and cultural goals and policies. The committee will be comprised of seven members, with each member serving a two-year term.
The Youth Advisory Committee is looking for interested Tribal Members to join the Youth Advisory Committee. The committee’s main purpose is to consult with, and provide input to Tribal entities and Tribal individuals who desire such consultation in order to assist them with achieving maximum coordinated benefits for Mashpee tribal youth. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please send a Letter of Interest (LOI) to Secretary Landry at Talia.Landry@mwtribe-nsn.gov.
The Old Indian Cemetery Commission will be responsible for creating the cemetery policies, procedures, rules, and regulations to help preserve and maintain the Old Indian Cemetery. The committee will be made up of nine members comprised of the following:
The Housing Commission currently has two (2) open seats to be filled. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please send a Letter of Interest (LOI) to Secretary Landry at Talia.Landry@mwtribe-nsn.gov.
The tribe is looking to get the Education Committee back up and running. There are currently five open seats on the committee. The committee will focus on scholarship opportunities and educational programming for tribal youth. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please send a Letter of Interest (LOI) to Secretary Landry at Talia.Landry@mwtribe-nsn.gov.
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Community Development Corporation (CDC) is currently seeking qualified tribal citizens 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.
The Pow Wow Committee is looking for Tribal Members to join the Committee for a 2-year term to plan the 103rd and 104th Annual Mashpee Wampanoag Pow Wow. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please send a Letter of Interest (LOI) to Secretary Landry at Talia.Landry@mwtribe-nsn.gov.