Wunee Keesuq,

Our community gathered today at our sacred circle and raised a new chief of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. We respected our traditions; we welcomed the sunrise and provided space for all Mashpee Wampanoag to participate and have a voice. We did not cast votes or campaign. We listened, observed, and stood behind one person who will serve as the Chief of the Mashpee Wampanoag people. We are grateful that Earl “Chiefy” Mills Jr. has accepted his place in our circle as our new Chief.

Today, we saw why our traditional way is right for us and why we continue to strive to incorporate those ways into every aspect of our tribal nation. For the over 200 tribal citizens that attended the raising, I want to say kutâputush. Kutâputush for participating in one of the most powerful ceremonies I have witnessed as we came together behind our new Chief.

Our late Sôtyum Vernon “Silent Drum” Lopez asked us to start this process over a year ago. He understood the great responsibility of this position and that we would need time to work through it.

It was time we needed to talk among our families and friends about the next Chief and consider who should follow Silent Drum, a great leader of our people. This foresight allowed us to come together at our sunrise ceremony and later at our ceremonial circle and cheer as every tribal citizen stood behind Chiefy.

We can watch the sunset knowing our culture will continue to thrive because of the traditional process we all participated in today. Mashpee will shine tonight.

Ahâpây,
Chairman Weeden