Reel Wamps

What happened last night was more than a powerplay by Cedric acolytes.  It confirmed that this crew has no intention of being honest with our people. They seemed to be stunned by their victory with that ” Oh s—” look and quickly started trying to assure everyone that they would keep everything ” transparent” and allow council participants to sit in.  Problem is, only Authority members vote. The other problem is there is never any follow-up.  The promises ring hollow.

Even though the Gaming Authority is essentially disabled, (for now) it represents a place where the Chairman rules unequivocally. It’s a dictatorship pure and simple. There’s no discussion, there’s no planning, there’s just an echo chamber bouncing back and forth from him to his mentor the former Secretary, now Treasure Marie Tah Tah Deja vu.

When is the Council going to sit down and talk about the Tribe’s priorities, goals, federal, state, and local agendas? The clock is ticking on Land in Trust because if the Democrats lose control of the US House or US Senate or both, we are screwed. There are no retreats to share ideas and hash it out. There is no interest in looking beyond the next Council meeting that is usually dominated by corrective actions. This is the Chairman’s job…to lead.

It’s real! And we’re in it.

They are deep into Cedric’s rabbit hole and the pledges to do things differently make you scoff. The Tribal members have no confidence in its government because of these kinds of stunts. And it’s an affront to people who have suffered way too long.

Marie has single-handedly crippled the Tribal government. She has failed to:

• Allocate the $15 million appropriations from the federal government
• Present a budget (for 8 months)
• Focus on any of her responsibilities as Treasurer

We don’t know why Marie does what she does. We do know she is destructive.

She continues to conduct unauthorized actions that slow essential  operations

• Tried to back door the hiring of the Comptroller offering him a $40,000 bonus without Council approval. set the hiring back at least 2 months

• Changing the staff organizational structure to empower herself
• Continuing to meddle in HR
• Bullying Housing Commissioners and anyone else she feels is a threat
• Dumping her responsibilities on others to execute

Marie does not have exclusive rights to “The Horror Show.” She has a bunch of council members who are complicit conspirators.  You know who they are.

One thing is for sure, they carry the “Rabbit Hole” brand on their foreheads.

It’s a slow process, but it brings results.  Council members know that secrecy is the enemy and that the membership should be privy to what is done in their name.

Aaron continued to press forward ending the bastion of corruption otherwise known as the Gaming Authority.

Councilman Aaron Tobey made the case for transparency in an emergency measure during the Wednesday meeting. The proposal would require the Tribal Council to approve all Gaming Authority financial appropriations.  The change received overwhelming support.

The finalization of the proposal ends the sneaky way of getting what you want without accountability.  Anyway, confirmation of the vote comes tonight during the Emergency Council Meeting.

The last meeting broke the attendance record with more

Cedric is up to his neck in mess and the Gaming Authority got him there.

than 60 members on the zoom. Tribal members want answers and are paying attention.

We forgot to mention last week that Cedric’s trial has been postponed until April for the 2nd time.  No doubt that the government wants his help deciphering all those 100’s of millions of dollars in Genting bank transfers and contracts that we paid for without getting deliverables. Curious they are.

The Tribe seemed to be locked in a continuous state of mourning this fall with the deaths of its own Greatest Generation Elders. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has a storied history of leadership championed by  members with unique personalities and strengths that would embolden the tribe during the most difficult times in its history.

Like her brothers, Anne was a frequent visitor to the White House. Reminding many that the Mashpee Wampanoag are alive and well.

Anne Peters Brown ” Talking Star” The youngest of the “Peters Gang” nick-named the ” The Nowheres Crew” (because they lived on the far west end of Route 130), passed away in Mashpee on October 8, at her daughters home. She was 88. Anne was a college educated scholar, prolific writer, and storyteller of the unique lifestyle of the people of the Old Indian Town of Mashpee.  She was a proud Mashpee Wampanoag and told everyone who would listen as she traveled the world. The first Native woman to ascend to the Mashpee postmaster position in New England. Anne, a beloved tribal member, would also establish a successful beauty supply business in Hawaii and the Far East. Guided by their father Steven’s example, she and her siblings would contribute substantially to the tribal framework that would ensure the survival and growth of the Mashpee Wampanoag.

Many were saddened by Christine’s death.

Christine Rezendes passed away on November 24.  She was 79.  She was born in Mashpee to the large family of Delscena Mills, and  Milteer Hendricks where she learned the value of charity to others. Christine was a stylish beauty with a quiet demeanor and a reputation for being an independent woman. She leaves five children, nine great-grandchildren, ten siblings, and many nieces and nephews behind to celebrate her life.

Amelia Peters Bingham “Seaweed” The eldest of the Peters Gang died December 20.  She was 98. Amelia left her brand on the Tribe by establishing the Tribal Council governance structure that we use today. That Council would be chaired by her brother Russell for 25 years. One of her most significant accomplishments was the creation of the Mashpee Wampanoag Museum. It would be her crowning achievement that tribal members pointed to with pride.  She was a member of the advisory board to the Massachusetts Commission on Indians Affairs. That entity would be led by her brother John, the Supreme Medicine Man of the Wampanoag Nation.

Debra and Yvonne represent the Mashpee beautifully on a brochure.

The museum began a renaissance that brought the Tribe the respect it deserved.

She used her creative talents to educate the public by traveling the nation giving lectures, accompanied by Tribal women modeling regalia correctly depicting Wampanoag clothing. Among those models were the late Debra Peters Mills, Councilwoman Yvonne Frye Avant, and Wanda Hendricks Andrews. Her legacy was one that instilled pride in our heritage in a way that peaked the attention of the nation.

Amelia’s elegance and sophistication was an asset she used to leverage support for her people.

Seaman understood the value of our culture and passed it on.

Seaman Piper Turner, II ” Buzzy” passed away on December 26.  He was 79. Seaman was a proud Mashpee man who was talented and popular.  He attended  Samuel G Davis School and Lawrence High School. He served n the US Army, the Mashpee Volunteer Fire Department, and owned his own auto repair shop. One of his beautiful traits was a deep appreciation for Wampanoag culture.  He was at the feet of his Elders listening and learning then passed the culture on to others. A striking figure, the gregarious Seaman, tall and handsome, owned the room when he appeared.

The loss of Everett reminds us that another treasured light is gone in our circle.

Everett Peters  Everett died on December 27. He was 74.  The youngest child of Fredrick and Francis Peters, he served in the Army and worked for the Town of Barnstable for many years. Also a proud Mashpee Wampanoag, ” Uncle Ev” loved to take his children, nieces, and nephews on lake outings.  His funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at 11:00 am at Mashpee Baptist Church, 27 Great Neck Rd. North, Mashpee. Interment will immediately follow at the Old Indian Cemetery, in Mashpee.

SO MANY DEATHS

As we mourn the loss of our Elders we need to think about preserving their legacies. That goes beyond talking about their accomplishments and their role in our lives. We have to live the truth and understand the sacrifices made for us. We lost five Elders in three months.  Those are five people we can no longer love consult or provide us with answers.We need to involve our Elders in our Elections and enrollment to ground and guide us as they used too.  Cedric pushed them out and minimized their traditional advisory role which proved disasteroous.

Greendeer is TA to a new tribe and that brings new challenges complicated by power politics.

We look to our leaders in Tribal government for just about everything now.  It’s been tough to stabilize the work enviornment. The struggle has gone on for the last six months because of bad hires, botched job offers, and redo’s that never should have happened in the first place. We all know who is responsible for that. Newly hired Tribal Administrator David Greendeer a Ho Chunk, is expected to smooth out the rough edges and bring order to the disorder. Geendeer has an impressive record in the tribal administration of his own tribe known for being one of the more economically advanced in Indian Country.  His corporation specializes in Strategic Planning and Analysis, program development and Indian affairs. Greendeer has been around Mashpee since he was a child.  His father and former Tribal Chairman Russell Peters were close friends.As he must know, all tribes are different and we are no exception. He has been on board for a week and knows this is going to be a tough one. If he succeeds, we suceed. Good luck.