Monthly Archives: June 2022

Shut Reel Wamps down? Naaaaaaaaaaaaaah

June 25, 2022
Reel Wamps has been receiving threats lately. This is the second one in a matter of months. It’s kind of interesting because if Tribal members don’t like Reell Wamps, they don’t read Reel Wamps. But most people use it as an information source. Generally it’s stories they’ve already heard about merely confirmed here. Other times is details about actions that tribal members are not privy to but should know about. The information comes from sources who are tribal members. And a lot of the people that don’t like Reel Wamps would be shocked to know that their own family members are the ones ratting them out. We’re very careful about information that’s on here. We’re not trying to hurt anyone but merely convey some of the wrongdoing and weirdness that happens that just isn’t justified. And some sources complain mightily, and  constantly. That’s normal. But, we could not possibly put all of that stuff on here because a lot of the info is way too sensitive and just not true.  But looking at the big picture we talk about things that undermine the tribe and its governing purpose.
So the threat thing was so poorly orchestrated that you really have to laugh because the person claims to be carrying messages from Tribal members. The truth is the message is  from family members trying to manipulate the person because they like to throw a rock and hide their hand. The endgame is to leverage the shut down of Reel Wamps for personal gain. The lines go like this….
“Oh just shut it down for a year.”  Or “Aren’t you afraid somethings going to happen to you? I’m afraid for you.  Just warning you.”
Then there’s “Why are you upsetting the Elders?” Now that one is ridiculous. We all know that the Elders do exactly as they please and speak to issues that are bothering them as they should. It has nothing to do with Reel Wamps and everybody knows what that issue is right now. And Pauline Peters speaks to it at Sunday meetings.

Reel Wamps sources are the very family members of its detractors. To shut it down would be a disservice to its 3,000-4500 weekly readers.

A little trivia about Reel Wamps. It was cranked up in the spring of 2009 when the Cromwell administration took over. It was a blog and that’s why people still call it”The Blog.” But in  December 2010 it was hacked and it came down. Within a week it was back up as a .com and we have never stopped since.

We invite you to go back through Reel Wamps and see all the information that was given to tribal members. Most of it serious but some of it is hilarious.  All in all it’s actually pretty stunning. It was an information source to help us understand that our tribal government was sidewinding all over the place under a really bad regime. We have paid dearly for it over the 13 years. And Reel Wamps accurately predicted what has happened to us.

Shudder to think what would have happened if we did not keep the information coming.
That said, here we are starting anew with a new administration. We are hopeful.
We’re moving forward on important issues but governing is not a game.  After Cedric and crew, tribal members expect a lot. Governing is one of the worst jobs you can have if you’re not there to serve. You have to deliver, not just pick up a check. Constituents are always mad about something.  You can never keep everyone happy but they will support you if you’re doing the work. They are with you if you are transparent. That  is very very critical. We know that now.
So message to Reel Wamp detractors.  Careful what you say.  You could end up on Reel Wamps.
Posted in: News

So here’s the news

June 25, 2022

Council Meeting

The Old Indian Church Cemetery is the resting place for ancestors who deserve better. Rosalie Newcomb is right.

Since the Mittark continues to be very selective about what they print…we thought we would talk about some Council activity that people actually care about….since few people read the Mittark  anyway.

Everyone complains about the bad activity going on at the cemetery. Rosalie Newcomb is always reminding Council about what goes on over there in plain sight. Thank you Rosalie.

Her points:

  • People are over there partying and drinking.
  • The trash and liquor bottles are everywhere.
  • Bobby Foster is in charge and he’s been on vacation twice since he got the job.
  • Camera’s and security are needed.
  • The whole thing is a disgrace to the ancestors.

All true Rosalie.

So she was told  there would be a follow up with the Tribal Administrator.  Ahem…

Ok so the Tribal Administrator is someone nobody sees.  The last time he actually took action was a couple of months ago

“The Floater” —Bobby’s wherever he wants to be whenever. A true Mashpee Wampanoag “Phenom.”

when he said that employees could take 2 hours off a day and fish. And that didn’t include the lunch hour either. That little faux pas was quashed within hours by a council member….. as she laughed all the way back to her office.  No one could figure out what the hell he was thinking because it was so outrageous. As for reigning in the notorious Repo Man (AKA  Bobby Foster) that could be tough since he’s been spotted touring Mashpee in a new ride…a Jaguar. Boby’s trifling ways are part of his incredible legacy….he’s held every job at the Council and never hit a lick.

The Code of Conduct should be implemented in a month.  

The language program will be brought under the Tribe which has been long awaited. There is a $276K deficit because of a lapsed grant. The Tribe will pay the bill and be reimbursed when the grant is restored.

Champion builders should complete the second phase of the housing project in 140 days. The company gets high marks for quality work but the Tribe is still negotiating to secure the bonding. Right now there is a 10% hold back of funds as opposed to a bond.

Rita is a talented professional. We’re lucky she’s on the Council and leading IHS.

Council Member Recognition

On May 18th Council members Rita Pocknett and Nelson Andrews received the Unsung Heroes

Nelson brings us national recognition. Positive press is good.

Award from the Mashpee Chamber of Commerce.  Needless to say, that’s a good thing.  Both council members hold important posts in the Tribal government that play important roles in maintaining good quality of life in our community. Our Indian Health Services department provides excellent service to tribal members and is a constant source of innovation and administrative efficiency that benefits the Tribe thanks to Rita. Nelson’s management and expansion of tribal Emergency Management is recognized and cited in Indian Country as an example of a well-run program. He’s called upon to present as an expert on tribal emergency management for FEMA and NCAI. Nelson constantly seeks out revenue sources and grants to self fund his department. He recently brought more distinction to Tribe when the MWT was the only Native Nation participating in the AmeriCorps/CDC initiative that will recruit, train, and develop future physicians, nurses, social workers, and other professionals in the public health sphere.

Good stuff to have our leaders recognized locally and nationally.  We need to say thanks too.

 

FIELD DAY IS BACK Get the KIDS OVER THERE!

        Lots going on….. don’t miss it!

Posted in: News

Not so busy is he?

June 13, 2022

Herrin’s been waiting for the TA to get to work. He’s been waiting and waiting and waiting.

Herrin’: “So I been watchin’ an waitin’, waitin’ an watchin’.’.

Roe: ” For what?”

Herrin‘: ” Action…. For the magic brilliance to be waved over the Council staff and workers in the building. You know from the Tribal Administrator.  The Cujo dude. He’s a member of the Coeur D’ Alene Tribe.

Roe: ” Wrong…his name is Cuno…Cujo is a rabid dog in a Stephen King book.  And he’s a Ho-Chunk from Wisconsin not a Coeur D’Alene. The Coeur D’Alene they’re mostly in Washington state. Man….Cujo are you kiddin’ me?”

The alleged TA David Greendeer who moniker is Cuno has been renamed Cujo…welcome to Mashpee.

Herrin‘; ”  Well that’s what they call him, Cujo…don’t know nothin’ about no Cuno. Besides, Coeur D’Alene sounds musical. They’re some cool  people.”

Roe: ” He’s a Ho-Chunk. They got a bunch of small businesses and six casinos.”

Herrin‘: ” If his people are doing so well, why ain’t he there with them?”

Roe: “Well that’s a good question no one can seem to answer, fully, but he married Danielle Hill and has a family….but he’s got kids with his first wife and visits them in Wisconsin one week outta  each month.”

Herrin’: “That’s a hell of a deal…that amounts to 3 months out of the year he’s in Wisconsin.”

Roe: “With a big fat paycheck of 140k a year. He hasn’t had a staff meeting in 7 weeks, There’s no strategic plan for the Council. He hasn’t turned in reports requested by Council members   and  I here he shows up when he gets damned good and ready.”

Herrin’:” Pretty much.”

Roe: ” Well, they say he’s busy, awful busy on other fronts if you know what I mean….you know, he gets around. And quite a bit.”

Herrin’ :” Well we’ll know soon enough.  There are no secrets in Mashpee.”

 

 

 

Posted in: News