
September Mittark
First Light Casino Expands and Hosts Free Live Entertainment Series
Our tribal gaming venture, First Light Casino, continues to expand rapidly in Taunton. What started as a modest Welcome Center with 10 gaming machines has grown, both in physical size and the number of slots, into what is now a casino with over 200 games on site. The venue also features an outdoor lawn with a tented space that can now accommodate various outdoor events.
With this expansion came the Rock and Brews Amplified Weekends Concert and Tailgate series, a six-week live entertainment series for the community to enjoy. “We’re thrilled to be offering free community events at First Light and making live entertainment accessible to everyone. Bring yourself, bring your friends along with a few beach chairs and a cooler, and enjoy live music and sports on our new outdoor lawn,” said Chairman Brian Weeden.
For more information, upcoming band lineups, and Tailgate Sunday details, visit: www.firstlighttaunton.com/amplified-weekends. As expansions, new promotions, and exciting events continue, we will keep the tribal community updated. Kutâputush for your support as First Light Casino continues to evolve.
POH Camp Connects Tribal Youth with Environment and Culture

Tribal youth participating in the Preserving our Homelands camp spent two days last month in Harwich and Chatham with partners of the tribe learning about the environment, cultural practices, and Wampanoag history.
On day one, youth spent a day on the water at the Pleasant Bay Community Boating Center. There, they observed eelgrass meadows by boat, identified shellfish during an intertidal walk, and learned how these habitats anchor both ecosystems and Wampanoag lifeways. A visit to a shell midden connected students to ancestral practices and the importance of stewardship.

Creator, Great Spirit, Dear Lord Jesus
Let’s get the invisible history and heritage of clambakes, which I feel is ebbing, down traditionally. I’ve seen announcements about, for example, a New England Clambake, an Ocean State Clambake, a Cape Cod Clambake and a Little Neck Clambake detailing how people are preparing clambakes.
But too rarely do I see much about a Wampanoag Clambake with a trace of its history or heritage of the original people who created this elaborate gathering of seafood and vegetables.
People come to Cape Cod from all over the world, and many have probably never heard of a clambake. Even folks who live here may not know the history. I have no issue with organizations or families preparing a clambake; however, people should know the centuries-old history that happened right off—and on—the shores of Cape Cod by our Indigenous ancestors.
Long attributed as a “traditional New England” method of steam-cooking seafood, the clambake actually derives from an ancient Wampanoag (and other coastal Indigenous people) way of preparing shellfish and other accompanying foods.
Explore Additional News in this month's Nashauonk Mittark
The Mashpee Wampanoag Native Environmental ambassadors hosted their first successful Indigenous Rights of Nature Gathering this past August. Under the direction of youth Advisors Ciara Oakley-Robbins and Secretary Talia Landry, the youth hosted Indigenous youth, elders, and culture keepers representing over 20 native nations. The week long gathering facilitated fruitful conversations on protecting our natural relatives and provided our Mashpee homelands as a space for unity across Turtle Island.
According to research of Mill Pond, the man-made pond located off Main Street (Route 130) opposite the Community Gardens and the Wampanoag Museum and across from Naukabout Brewery and Taproom, it has been a part of Mashpee history since at least 1843.
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.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Text or call 988 or chat 988lifeline.org, or reach out to a mental health professional.
The Education Department is seeking support from parents and guardians of enrolled Mashpee Wampanoag children from age 3 to grade 12 in completing the Johnson O’Malley Program form. The information provided is used solely for the purpose of planning for potential funding opportunities under the Johnson O’Malley Program. All information will be kept confidential. Please return the form to Roxanne Mills Brown at Roxanne.brown@mwtribe-nsn.gov. or by mail to Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, 483 Great Neck Road South, Mashpee, MA 02649
There are two open employment opportunities with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Gaming Commission. To apply, please visit mwtgc.org
There are various open positions at the Community and Government Center. To learn more and to apply, please visit the jobs page.
The Harvard Powwow, hosted by the Harvard University Native American Program is a public event open to all. There will be drumming, singing, dancing, vendors, and food.
Michelle Mendes has been promoted as the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office’s new Director of Programs and Engagement. In her new position, she will lead the team responsible for conducting outreach, creating partnerships with community organizations, and hosting and attending events to support underserved businesses.
The annual Ancestors Day celebration will take place at the Old Indian Meeting House. The service will be followed by a putlock at 1:00PM at the Community and Government Center. This is a day for Tribal Citizens and their families to spend with the ancestors and to formally remember, celebrate, and honor our family and friends who have passed on to the spirit world. All tribal families are welcome to attend.
Tribal citizens along with family and friends from the community are invited to attend Native American Thanks Giving. The annual event, coordinated by the OIMH Committee, will open at 11:00 AM with an opening ceremony and prayer. The Old Indian Meetinghouse is a sacred place for our community. Following the ceremony, there will be a Native American Thanks Giving feast at the Community and Government Center. For questions or concerns please contact David Weeden at David.Weeden@mwtribe-nsn.gov
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.
The Mashpee Wampanoag Community Development Corporation is seeking feedback from tribal members on engaging in an adult-use cannabis business. We kindly ask that you take a moment to participate in this brief survey. Your input is appreciated!
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.