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?”
