Category Archives: News

Mr. Chairman! Mr. Chairman!

March 2, 2023

Quahog Pie only shows up to chastise Tribal Chairmen. It’s just not a good sign.

So, Quahog Pie came into the Government Center looking for the chairman. He hasn’t been there since Cedric Cromwell started side winding years ago. But now, there’s a lot of bad vibes, lota jealousy and erratic dictatorial behavior that interferes with government operations…. So Quahog Pie waits in the lobby touching Alice Lopez’s statute, reading the notices and posters, examining the beautiful murals, peering at John Peters bust through the Elders door. He smiles with pride.

But it fades quickly.

Quahog Pie told no one he was coming.  He doesn’t have too. He has nothing but time. He never grows old, he answers to no one. A youth who is uninhibited, and tells what he sees, is the most honest broker. He waits and waits and waits for the tribal chairman.

The chairman finally appears lumbering across the rotunda, tall, and gray faced, into the Council chamber to talk to new council members, (that he hadn’t sworn in for 2 1/2 weeks) and he emerges moments later. Quahog Pie begins.

“Mr. chairman, Mr. chairman! Why are you so angry? Why are you causing more

The memo would constitute a complete shutdown of the government led by disinterested and unstable administrators.

chaos issuing *Executive Orders” giving you unbridled authority over employees and Council members? We don’t have “Executive Orders” anywhere in our Constitution. Are you confused? Do you think you are the President of the United States? Or are you just trying to empower yourself to control and intimidate the new Council members?

No response

Staff and project workers have suffered from two previous tantrums by the chairman where he shut down projects and interrupted services.

“Mr. Chairman, why do you want all this responsibility now

when all the work has been done by others.  Not you. You have your propaganda machine giving you all credit. You made yourself a figurehead. You have no initiatives, no interest in addressing all the crisis around us. And you won’t attend meetings. Important meetings on finance, reducing the Tribal debt, and economic development. Addressing our spiritual needs, is of no interest to you. Worst of all, you don’t visit sites or congratulate 

Tribal members or staff for their work.   But you get that big fat check every week, and you take a lota trips.”

Mr. Chairman 

I didn’t go on the trip to DC for NCAI. How come? But actually, I’m glad. I heard all about it anyway. “

No response. 

“They said that man Alex Rodriquez paid for $100 steak dinners for tribal youth. They could have done pizza and hamburgers Mr. Chairman. Is he your advisor now? An outsider? A grifter. That’s the word on Rt 130.” 

No response

“Why did you lie about Tribal support? We were silent about your alleged incident. The tribal position was clearly stated on the website. Whatever your actions were, they belonged to you. The Tribe spoke loudly again this election.” 

No response

“Why did you make Steve Peters (III) lie in our name? Like we condoned your accused wrongdoing. This was a planted story by Paula Peters that appeared nowhere else. But the circulation in Indian Country only brought us more shame.

 Mashpee Tribe Offers Show of Support for Chairman Charged in Thefts

 BY JENNA KUNZE

Native News Online

JANUARY 12, 2023
One week after pleading not guilty to two criminal theft charges, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Chairman Brian Weeden returned to work today amid a show of support from the Tribe.

Brian Weeden (Photo: Mashpee Wampanoag Website)
Chairman Weeden, 30, had been on paid leave since early December 2022, when he was identified as a suspect in the theft of cultural items from the Plimoth Patuxet Museums in Plymouth, Mass. He was charged with breaking and entering and felony larceny of more than $1,200, according to Plymouth District Court.
Weeden pleaded not guilty to the charges in Plymouth District Court on Jan. 5.
At a tribal council meeting last night—the final day of Weeden’s paid leave—tribal council members discussed the situation with their chairman, according to the tribal spokesperson, Steven Peters.
In a statement provided to Native News Online, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council said the following regarding Weeden’s return from the leave: “Brian Weeden was elected Chairman in 2021 and has served his people in that capacity continuously since his election. Chairman Weeden has worked effectively for his people securing land in trust, a record amount of grant funding, and strengthening our cultural ties and economic development for future generations. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe stands united with our Chairman and Tribal Council.”
“Mr. Chairman, this statement was not from the Council or the Tribe. No surprise here Mr. Chairman. You are using the same spokesperson as Cedric Cromwell, Paula Peters. She led the campaign that ushered Cedric Cromwell into power, setting us back 30 years. And now she has her tenacles in you. Her war with Plimoth Plantation is not ours. We have never been fans of Plimoth, but we’ve been anxious to have our own living village, on our own land, revealing our ancient legacy. 
Not a deer farm, Mr. Chairman.”
The Chairman covered his ears and stepped into the elevator.
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The more things change………..

February 21, 2023

The Chairman is taking it mighty slow at our expense.

The election results sent a message. The Tribe wanted change. Apparently, the Chairman was in no rush. He cancelled the Wednesday Feb 15 Council meeting and scheduled one for March 8, That’s nearly a month’s delay. Instead of performing the ceremonial swearing in of the six council members, he delayed it for ten days. So, maybe it will happen this Wednesday. Who knows? And then there’s the budget.  It will be delayed again. He’s headed to an NCAI meeting, his second major trip in a month’s time. You try to figure out what this is all about because we don’t get it.

Sober House living room

 PROJECTS MOVE AHEAD, TRIBE ON TARGET WITH CRITICAL PROJECTS

The men’s sober house has been fully renovated and will be ready for occupancy in March. The home will accommodate 8 men in the 4 bedroom, two bath, house.  The house has a large Livingroom, dining room and kitchen. The live in director has an apartment downstairs. Tribal members and friends

The place is so nice you don’t want to leave.

donated the furniture, and appliances for men in recovery. Vice Chairman Carlton Hendricks, Jr. says this community partnership will help to make the program a success.  He adds that another home is set to be renovated soon.

A tour of the oyster farm (HACCP facility) is pretty remarkable. The

The facility will pump thousands of dollars into our economy.

building (60 x 60)is closed in, and the finishing touches are being made for the processing of shellfish. The latest equipment including conveyors, to sort, clean, and distribute shellfish is set for

David Pocknett, Jr. shows off hundreds of traps made by the team.

delivery. The HACCP team made the hundreds of traps that line the building. Tribal men have played a major role in building this facility that will move the tribe into the marketplace on every level. We will be competitive by producing, harvesting, and selling oysters and clams. A fish market is also on the horizon.          

The shelter for the homeless is also close to opening.  It’s another project opening to serve an urgent need.

This is what the tribal government is supposed to do. Serve. Do the work. With the new diverse Council all the weight will no longer be on be on the Wamp 5 (2 officers and 3 Council members) The 7 will help us catch up after loosing so much time and so many lives.

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Elders drive election outcome…Hendricks team big winners, diversify Council

February 14, 2023

Nearly 3/4 of the ballots cast in the Mashpee Wampanoag election voted to return incumbent council members Nelson Andrews (298), Domingo Teixiera (285), and Rita Gonsalves (270) to the board.  Newcomers Nitana Hicks Greendeer (258) and Roxanne Mills Brown (228) added policy depth that should help bring the change Tribal members are demanding.

The campaign was lack luster with the exception of Texiera’s push of a ticket

A Brown University graduate, Nitana’s brings the importance of language identity to our cultural equation.

promising ” Traditional, Professional, Trusted Leaders who get results and make us proud!” Andrews, Teixiera, and Gonsalves are known for their work ethics, credentials and accomplishments. Greendeer and Mills Brown are both highly educated and experienced in policy and government administration rounding out the Council.

The dominance of Elder voters was once again an indicator of the need for change. And when we need their help, they always show up.

 

 

 

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“Ain’t it awful Mabel?”

February 10, 2023

 

That was a common phrase uttered when Mashpee people reacted to a bad incident. And

Ms. Mabel Avant never, ever turned away from a fight for Mashpee.

often they were talking to Mrs. Mabel (Pocknett) Avant. Mabel Avant was quite an influencer back in the late 30’s through the 60’s. She was not only politically powerful, but our cultural guardian. And she was essentially a woman sachem.  Now in the White world, that was extraordinary. But our culture is built on a matriarchal system. We say with certainty that Mabel Avant stood alone as a defiant advocate for Mashpee. And our legendary male leaders bowed to her prowess.

During town meetings when White businessmen and speculators would try to exploit us in some way, everyone would smirk and wait for the imposing Mabel to stand up and respond to the proposal. She would start with, “Why, why?” reveal the scheme snapping it like twigs, as tribal members laughed. The perpetrators would scurry out of the old town hall never to return. So the Natives in the ” Old Indian Towne on Cape Cod” weren’t so dumb after all.

This history snapshot is important when you look at our current situation.  We resolved some terrible leadership failures only to fall into a morass led by a small group. Holding on to political power at any cost is the goal. And the moral compass is clearly broken.

Hold overs from the Cromwell régime may be in the minority but try to dominate and disrupt

Winnie’s chaos is unmatched. She doesn’t see anything wrong.

the council. Enter Winnie whose legendary tirades just keep escalating. To show you how bad it’s gotten, during the candidate’s forum, she was asked a pointed question about her behavior (the screaming, cursing rants) in council meetings and the workplace. She said something to the effect of “I don’t approve of that kind of behavior.” Boy, that went over well. The eye rolls were nonstop.

Almost as well as her pledge to give members ” per capita stipends.” Last campaign cycle it was $500 to Elders that never materialized. Campaign pledges are one thing but her obsessive attacks are embarrassing and exhausting for everyone. Her previous assaults are well known.

The majority of the attacks are launched at Vice Chairman Carlton Henricks, Jr, in Council meetings. Everyone keeps trying to figure out why these attacks are so vicious. Some of the stuff is so bad we cannot talk about it, but you probably heard. There are no secrets in Mashpee.

She’s done some doozies in the government center. A recent episode was when she worked for the Elders helping at Lunch and Learn. One day she was loud talking on her phone and a worker told her to quiet down because she was upsetting the Elders.  Well she had a fit and threw a paper bag at the woman.  She was banished from the job and switched over to the farm where she’s supposed to take soil samples and weed the garden. Sure. You could make a bundle in a pool about her upcoming antics.

The list goes on… but Miss Unbecoming is a little short on accomplishments too.   She has not advanced one project that has helped anyone. She’s the liaison to the CDC and the Pow Wow Committee to which she contributes nothing, nor does she help.

You have to wonder why she’s running because her style is public service can’t be what the Tribe needs right now.

Ain’t it awful Mabel?”

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A reminder. No deed goes unpunished.

February 5, 2023

U.S. Attorney Rollins on bribery scheme restitution judgment with Mashpee Wampanoags Nation

Michael Silvia

New Bedford Guide

 

As if Cedric were not bad enough! At least we’re getting some money back.

“The Mashpee Wampanoags put their trust in Mr. Cromwell when they elected him to represent them. Mr. Cromwell violated and exploited that trust, lining his own pockets through a fraudulent business arrangement with Mr. DeQuattro. Their bribery scheme corrupted and stalled the most significant economic development project in the Tribe’s history. Last spring, a federal jury saw through the lies and found the defendants guilty of their shameful conduct. They were later held accountable at sentencing in November, with Mr. Cromwell receiving a three-year sentence.

Now, thanks to the Mashpee Wampanoag’s current leadership and tenacious legal counsel’s zealous advocacy, our office sought and secured restitution of $209,687.54 from Mr. Cromwell payable directly to the Tribe. This restitution judgment rightly addresses the immense harm these men inflicted upon the Mashpee Wampanoag Nation – harm to its reputation through Mr. Cromwell’s corruption; to its economic development through massive project delays and lost resources; and harm to its financial resources through the significant legal fees and expenses generated in their steadfast support and compliance with our investigation. It is my hope that this judgement closes the door on a dark chapter Mr. Cromwell wrote in the Wampanoag’s rich, extraordinary and profound history. With this corrupt member gone, I am hopeful the Tribe will thrive and flourish.”-Massachusetts Department of Justice.

 

 

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You may not know it but….

January 29, 2023

There’s supposed to be a candidates’ forum at the government center today. All we know about is a meet and greet for the candidates that goes from 12 – 5. So of course, people are complaining. Asking candidates to hang around for 5 hours is a lot let alone tribal members.

A forum allows Tribal members to hear from the candidates on issues important to them. We can’t elect people who can’t do the job or have ulterior motives.

We’ve borne the brunt of that in a horrific way.

Stay tuned.

 

 

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Tribal Emergency Meeting tonight

January 24, 2023

Be sure to get on the zoom council meeting tonight and see what happens.  Stay informed.

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More good news …….for a change!

January 23, 2023

More positive news for the Tribe. Good job Jim Peters.

Harvard completes repatriation of Native remains from eastern Massachusetts

by Nancy Eve Cohn

New England Public Media

A wooden sign advises motorists of the location of Mashpee Wampanoag tribal lands in Mashpee, Massachusetts.

Harvard University’s Peabody Museum and Warren Anatomical Museum recently completed the legal process for repatriating the remains of 313 Native people from eastern Massachusetts to Wampanoag communities in Mashpee and Aquinnah.

Harvard and other institutions are working on returning the remains of Native individuals from western and central Massachusetts.

After the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation became federal law in 1990, many museums took the first steps to comply — including reporting the number of human remains in their collections and which state and county they came from.

Jim Peters, a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and the executive director of the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs, said he worked with Harvard for the past couple of years on this recent repatriation.

“I think they’ve done the best they can,” Peters said about the Harvard museums. “It’s been a mountainous job that they may not have paid attention to in the past eras… They have come a long way.”

Peters said the next step is for the Wampanoag tribal communities to find final resting places to rebury the remains of those who died.

In an emailed statement Harvard University said it plans to start consultations on remains from other parts of the state.

“The Peabody Museum plans to reach out to invite consultation on the 25 ancestors from Central, Western and unknown locations in MA by the end of January. This includes the ancestors from Worcester, Hampshire and Franklin Counties and the ancestor from Franklin County from the Warren Anatomical Museum.”

Some other museums with the remains of people from central and western Massachusetts have either begun or plan to begin the process of repatriation.

Berkshire Museum is in the midst of the repatriation process for the remains of two individuals from Hampden County.

The Worcester Historical Museum, which has the remains of two individuals, plans to seek funding to hire someone to guide them through the repatriation process.

“My biggest concern with the whole process is ensuring that everything is done correctly,” said Shelley Cathcart, the museum’s curator.

According to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation database, the American Museum of Natural History in New York City has the remains of five individuals from Franklin County and one from Hampden County.

In an emailed statement the museum said it has “not received any inquiries or claims for these six individuals.”

The museum did not say whether it had invited native groups to consult, “but welcomes engagement with any interested native communities regarding these individuals.”

New England News Collaborative
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Up and running soon on several fronts

January 20, 2023

The First Light Shellfish Farm is almost finished. The multi-million-dollar grant from U.S. Fish and Wildlife revived the project that has languished since 2009. Vice Chairman Carlton Hendricks, Jr. said it should be finished early, in a matter of weeks with over $100k to spare. He said that money will be spent on a manager and finishing the interior. The building is framed up. Coolers, freezers, clam counters stainless steel sinks will then follow. The project will generate 15 new jobs also boasting a fish market that has long been discussed and now materializing. Hendricks led the collaborative effort that salvaged the shellfish farm18 months ago. It’s expected to jumpstart an essential part of the Tribe’s economic development strategy.

Most significant is the fact the operation is a federally certified Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point or HACCP facility — a food safety management system. That was all important to getting the project back on track. It will also serve a dual purpose of cleaning the bay and preventing fish contamination.

The two million oysters and clams planted at Punkhorn Point in Popponesset Bay, will generate, more work for the fishermen, fish to sell at the tribal fish market and in the wholesale marketplace.

We also need to thank Jason Steading Director and Dale Oakley assistant Director and Tribal members David, Jr and CheNulKa Pocknett, Nathan Mills, Robert Andrade and Natural Resources Chairman Buddy Pocknett for their heavy lifting. It’s part of the continued efforts to keep the essential Tribal fishing economy alive. The Shellfish farm will not only create jobs it will generate added income for Tribal members.

Also on the horizon is the restoration of the Parsonage that will be coming to fruition thanks

Every generation of Mashpee Wampanoag remembers the landmark yellow Parsonage sitting atop the hill since 1849. It’s long overdue for a facelift.  

to the lobbying efforts of Council Secretary Cassie Jackson and Vice Chair Hendricks.  The two worked the halls of the US Capitol lobbying US Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congressman Bill Keating for an appropriation of $1.6 million to retore the deteriorating historic site that has gone untouched for decades. More positive action for one of our historic symbols.

Dealing with the issues that are killing Tribal members is another leadership priority. Henricks has led the efforts to intercept the drug overdose epidemic and homelessness in our community.  “The Men’s Healing Lodge “will be up and running by Mid-February. The Vice Chair gives credit to the many Tribally owned businesses and members for their assistance. The Sober House is designed as a refuge for rehabilitation. The Del Sol project will help to stem our homeless problem.

These are very serious issues that have been neglected for nearly14 years. Because of these initiatives, we are starting to take care of ourselves again.

 

e.

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Well…….Ya

January 12, 2023

Kevin was telling his cousin Curtis to, “Get in there!“

Last night’s Council meeting was raucous to say the least. It was a live audience of about 30 while 72 viewed on Zoom. Tribal members watched a spectacle that was scary. Tribal Police Chief Kevin Frye was calling his security detail telling them to, “Get in there!”

Thanks to the Wamp Hotline, we don’t have to tell you anymore, because you already know.

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