The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, through the Mâseepee Cultural Council, extends heartfelt thanks to the Mass Cultural Council for its continued investment in Indigenous arts, culture, and community-based storytelling. We also express deep gratitude to our state legislators and the Massachusetts Legislature for supporting the arts through annual appropriations that make these opportunities possible for Tribal communities across the Commonwealth.

This year’s funding supports our Mâseepee Cultural Council’s goals and priority areas of interest and operate under the direction of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to strengthen our collective community efforts to preserve oral histories, support artisans, build community cultural capacity, and uplift Wampanoag voices through cultural education, youth programming, and creative expression.

We are proud to recognize and congratulate our FY26 awardees:

Adeline Whatley
Ciara Oakley Robbins
David Andrews
Gianna Hendricks
Lauren Peters
Chee Nul Ka Pocknett
Robert DeGaetano
Casey Thornbrugh
Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers

Each awardee reflects the strength, creativity, and resilience of our people; their projects advance cultural continuity, intergenerational learning, and community wellness while honoring the shared knowledge of our ancestors.

The Mâseepee Cultural Council also wishes to thank all Tribal members who submitted applications and thoughtfully prepared proposals that aligned with our priority areas of preserving oral history, support artisans, and build cultural capacity. Your commitment to cultural stewardship, community care and our Tribe’s creative expression is deeply appreciated.

Together with the support of the Mass Cultural Council, our state partners, and our Tribal artists and culture bearers we continue the important work of sustaining Wampanoag community cultural practices and the sharing of knowledge today and for the generations yet to come.