On September 13, 1988, Representative Thomas M. Cahir presented Shirley Peters, the chairwoman of the Indian Education Program, with a certificate of Achievement from the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The award honored Shirley for her 14 years of excellent service. Thanks to Aunt Joan for sharing these important events from our past.

Ancestors’ Day will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Old Indian Meeting House. The annual event provides an opportunity to remember those that have passed. Following the ceremony, a potluck luncheon will be held at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Community and Government Center.

Each month vacant committee seats are posted. Volunteering on a Commission or a Committee is an important part of being involved and helping the tribal community. Everyone needs to be involved.

Currently there are open seats on the following commissions and committees.

• 2 Open Seats on the Housing Commission

• Open Seats on Enrollment Committee

• Open Seats on the Powwow Committee

The United States Census Bureau will be at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe on September 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Community and Government Center Gym. The Census Bureau is working with the WIOA Department to discuss the importance of completing the census and jobs that will be available. All tribal members are encouraged to attend especially if you are interested in government jobs and/or have questions about completing the census form.

Join us now and become a member of “The 360 Project”!

On Saturday, September 28 all Wampanoag people, including the Mashpee, Aquinnah and Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribes will come together with friends from the community at the 20th Annual Wampanoag Day Celebration at the Aptucxet Trading Post Museum in Bourne. The event will kick off at 11 AM and is open to the public.

Coreen Moore will be leaving big moccasins to fill on the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Housing Commission. For over a decade Coreen has served her Tribe with distinction on the Housing Commission and as the Housing Commissioner Chair. Coreen is one of the founding members of the Tribe’s Housing Commission and has been an integral piece of the growth of the Tribe’s housing program. Please join us in thanking Coreen for her time, energy and talent on the commission over the past 12 years. We also know that she will remain close and has graciously offered to keep in touch with the Commission as it brings on a new tribal member to fill her seat.  

David Weeden is looking to bring balance to the town of Mashpee Board of Selectman on October 1 and is asking for your vote. He currently serves as the Interim Tribal Historic Preservation Officer and as a Council Member for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and previously served on the town of Mashpee’s Planning Board. David has been a constant voice for conservation in town and believes the town is in need now more than ever of a fresh perspective at the table.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Headquarters office in Washington, DC,  has chosen the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe as the first Tribe to be selected for a Preparedness Case Study review.

The review took place on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at the Tribal reservation properties in Mashpee.

The Tribal Emergency Management Department, led by Director Nelson Andrews, Jr., facilitated the review.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s Housing Department is now accepting bids for a residential rehabilitation project in Hyannis, MA.

Please stop by the Housing Department to pick up a bid package. If you prefer, we can also email or fax one to you.

Hyannis, MA Residence: Pre-Bid conference will be held September 9, 2019 11 a.m.

Bid is due September 23, 2019 and must be received by 2 p.m.

If you have any questions please call (508) 477-0208 Ext. 104

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Housing Department is currently accepting applications and has an ongoing waitlist which will open October 2019 for the following programs:

1. Rental Subsidy - Financial assistance provided for 24 months up to $300 per month.

2. Home Rehabilitation - Financial assistance will be provided for code violations, health, safety or threat of loss for up to $15,000.

3. First Light Wampanoag Homes Applications – Providing safe and affordable housing for low income individuals.

For more information, please contact the Housing Department at (508) 477-0208 Ext. 104.

A trip for high school youth and a parent or guardian to visit the University of Minnesota campuses in Morris, including attending a football game and a Native student activity, is being organized for October 24-27. Please see Cameron Greendeer or John Hanlon for details and to register.

Tribal students have an amazing opportunity to attend the Food Sovereignty Summit being held September 23-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Travel and arrangements are provided through the NYCP program, NYCP grant funding and the Tribe’s Education Department. To register or for more information, please contact NYCP Program Manager Cameron Greendeer at Cameron.greendeer@mwtribe-nsn.gov or at (508) 477-0208 ext. 178.

Craig Elkins, director of the College Now special admissions program at UMass Dartmouth will present to students in the Indian Ed Room on Wednesday, September 18 from 2:00 -3:00 PM. There will be a follow up meeting for interested parents as well as a visit to campus.

On Tuesday, September 10, Tufts University (Medford) Admissions Director Sean Ashburn will give a presentation to students in the Indian Ed Room at Mashpee Middle/High School from 2:15 – 2:45 PM and then will be available to talk to parents at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Community and Government Center from 4:00 -5:00 PM.

If you would like to be a part of the Tribal Historic Preservation Department team as a volunteer during the months of September – November, 2019 please contact the Department at 508-477-0208 ext 174. The hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10AM – 2PM. An informal training will be provided.

As we all know, it takes a lot of time, dedication and hard work to make our homecoming successful. We are soliciting respected members of the community to help with carrying out duties prior to, during and after the Powwow. Letters of interest can be sent to Cassie Jackson at cassie.jackson@mwtribe-nsn.gov or mailed to Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Powwow Committee, 483 Great Neck Road South, Mashpee, MA 02649.

On Tuesday, August 27 a production crew from WGBH Channel 2 in Boston visited Mashpee in order to capture station identification promotions.

“I received a request from Kristen Currier with WGBH by email asking if we would be interested in participating in taping station ID’s.” said Trish Keliinui, PR/Communication Manager for the Tribe. “The WGBH Foundation’s overall focus is on arts and education in Massachusetts, therefore they felt it very fitting to include members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe as a community where their foundation is based on preserving history.” she added.

Please join with us in celebrating Adidas Rayne DeWillis as a 2019 High School Graduate from East Providence High School in RI. Four years of highest honors for each quarter certainly attest to her academic focus, dedication, and investing in herself. Adidas will continue her education this fall at the University of Rhode Island. She is the Granddaughter of elder tribal member Edwina (DeWillis) Cooley and daughter of late tribal member Benjamin DeWillis.

There are several open positions at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. As of the date of publication the following positions are open. Please visit the Human Resource section of the Tribe’s website for complete position descriptions and details for applicants.