Nashauonk MittarkTM © Copyright 2013 mashpeewampanoagtribe.com December 2013 DRUM BEAT IN THE NEWS DEPARTMENTS COMMUNITY Chairman’s Column Public Hearings Held December 2 and 3 he Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) T held a public hearing on December 2 in Mashpee and on December 3 in TTaunton to gain feedback on the Draft Envi- ronmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Tribe’s land-in-trust application. The DEIS was approved by the US Department of Inte- rior in October. Tribal Council Chairman Cedric Cromwell saw the hearings as another posi- tive step for the Tribe and an opportunity to hear comments from all sides. Dear Tribal Family, “The hearings are another opportu- nity for people to provide comments about We have much to celebrate during this the tribe’s proposed destination resort casino holiday season! This month, we were a part in Taunton. We are excited at the outpouring of historic BIA hearings that took place in of support from residents throughout South- both Mashpee and Taunton for the Mashpee eastern Massachusetts for Project First Light,” Wampanoag Tribe’s Land Into Trust Draft said Mashpee Wampanoag Chairman Cedric Environmental Impact Study (DEIS). The Cromwell. “Some local officials in neighboring The Draft Environment Review Study DEIS is the most time consuming and communities and officials at the regional plan- is available for review at Tribal Headquarters arduous aspect of the Land Into Trust ning agencies have raised some questions that at 483 Great Neck Road South, at the Mashpee process. we will address. We look forward to doing so Public Library or online at www.mwteis.com. Our Tribe is in a great place with once the public comment period ends and ev- The deadline to submit comments is January Land Into Trust (LIT) process. We have never eryone has been given a chance to be heard.” 17, 2014. been this far along positively in the Land Into Trust process for our people. There have been many long days, very late nights, working around the clock and sacrificing Language Program Marks 20 Years our personal and family lives to keep the progress and forward movement for our The Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Tribal household members from the Assonet people in the spirit of Self Sufficiency, Self (WLRP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Band, Aquinnah Tribe, Herring Pond Tribe, Determination and Tribal Sovereignty. co-founded by the Aquinnah and Mash- and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Lan- We are Indian People. We are pee Wampanoag Tribes, held a half-day guage project staffers also work part-time Mashpee Wampanoag People and We are twentieth anniversary celebration Lan- for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Lan- Sovereign! guage Center in Mashpee on Friday, No- guage Department established in 2009 by I give praise to all of the supporters vember 8th. WLRP provides translations, Tribal Council Ordinance. The project has for Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s Land year-round community language classes, served over 500 tribal citizens-including 70 Into Trust successful completion. I am and youth and family language camps for percent from Mashpee-since its inception also praying for the folks internally and in 1993, and elects directors to its board for externally that actively works towards two-year terms to provide budget and plan- defeating Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s ning oversight for the language reclamation Land Into Trust and ultimately set our Tribe efforts that also includes ongoing dictionary, backwards. Let us all pray for them, as we phrasebook, and workbook development. will not let evil prevail. “We had a wonderful turnout among Thank you to all of those who language students, Mashpee Tribal Council attended the hearings. History is in the members, WLRP board members, charter school trustees, Cape media organizations, (Continued on page 3) (Continued on page 7) 1. WAM EE PA P ut Mâ N m8 se H u ep O h e S s e h A A A G K M u t t u 8 s u e t e n 8 p W u P e e q â y u t t u 8 y t ô S DRUM BEAT T RIBE Events Calendar Cheryl Frye-Cromwell Receives New Events National Award heryl Frye-Cromwell, Government January 12 – 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. C Health Liason for the Mashpee General Body Meeting, Wampanoag Tribe, was honored on Mashpee High School TNovember 18 by the Indian Health Services (IHS), a division of the federal Department February 9 of Health and Human Services, for her Tribal Council Elections “leadership, support and partnership in Mashpee High School support of Direct Service Tribes.” Cheryl received the IHS Director’s March 22 Special Recognition Tribal Leadearship/ Wampanoag Ball, Partnership Award in Washington, DC. The Sea Crest Beach Hotel IHS awards were created to honor those who nationally, Cheryl was elected to the Mashpee partner with IHS and who have demonstrated Wampanoag Tribal Council in 2004 and has Weekly Events extraordinary achievements in public since focused on improving the Tribe’s health health leadership, federal leadership, and services. Since the Mashpee Wampanoag’s Thursdays – 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. organizational leadership. Federal Recognition in 2007, she has worked Wamp Support Group, Old Indian “The award reflects my sincere on behalf of the Tribe as the Tribal Liaison Meeting House appreciation to you for your leadership, to the IHS and other federal, state and local support and partnership in support of Direct agencies, with a goal to build the capacity and Monthly – 7:00 p.m. Service Tribes,” Yvette Roubideaux, M.D., resources for health care services for the Tribe. Chiefs Circle, Old Indian Meeting House M.P.H., Acting Director of the federal Indian In 2010, Cheryl was appointed to the Direct It is held the first Tuesday of the month. Health Services. Service Tribe’s Advisory Committee (DSTAC) “I’m very honored to be recognized to represent the Nashville Area Direct Service Monthly – 6:00 p.m. at this level,” said Cheryl. “It shows that I’m Tribes, where she has been elevated to the Public Safety Commission doing what I need to be doing as an elected position of vice-chair and been a strong Madaket Place, A4 Conference Room official for my tribe.” advocate for all initiatives and priorities of the It is held the third Tuesday of the month. A long-time leader both locally and committee. (Continued on page 4) Language Classes Visit WLRP.org or call Ground Penetrating Radar at OIMH (508) 419-6281 for event details and upcoming language classes. Only days before the annual Native American Thanksgiving Day at the Old Indian Meeting House the Tribal Historic Preservation Department was fortunate enough to have ground penetrating radar Announcements (GPR) done on two of the larger clearings in the cemetery. Doria Kutrubes from » Results of the recent Elders Council the geophysical laboratory in Waltham elections are; Cecelia Tobey Gomes, and Elizabeth Perry from the Aquinnah Hendricks. The goal was to discover President; Wayne Jackson, Vice President; Wampanoag Tribe shared their equipment if any un-marked graves are located Edith Newcomb Rose, Secretary; and in the cleared parts of our cemetery. LaVerne Jackson, Treasurer. Other After two days of scanning the areas Council members include: Steve Helme, east of the building starting at the white Carolyn Turner, Sharon Tobey Kennedy, fence and south near the hand pump, we Cherilyn Peters and Anne Foxx. found perhaps as many as 35 unmarked graves. It’s sad to report that graves were » Tribal members who would like to be also detected under included on the Tribal “eBlast” messaging the road. The system, please forward your contact actual count of un- information to Councilwoman Trish marked burials and Keliinui at [email protected] or and expertise at no charge to the Tribe for location on a map call her at (774) 316-0305. this service. Doria gave an on-site training will be available » The Election Committee is looking for of the GPR equipment to members of the to us shortly. More volunteers to assist with the process for Roads and Ground Department Jason scanning of the rest the February 9, 2014 election. Please Steiding, Rick Hendricks, Kevin Hicks, of our cemetery contact the Election Committee by along with Tribal Historic Preservation will be done at January 26th at (774) 238-2129 to sign up. Department Ramona Peters and Marcus another time 2. WAM EE PA P ut Mâ N m8 se H u ep O h e S s e h A A A G K M u t t u 8 s u e t e n 8 p W u P e e q â y u t t u 8 y t ô S DRUM BEAT DRUM BEAT T RIBE New Tribal Administrator Appointed Chairman’s Column (continued) he Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe His most recent T recently hired Dr. James Davis Jr., to work experience is serve as their Tribal Administrator. with Owens Val- making and we are moving forward TDr. Davis comes to the Mashpee Wampanoag ley Career Devel- together! Tribe with a wealth of education. He is a opment Center of I would also like to point out graduate from the University of Arizona Bishop, California. another significant achievement over at Tucson, where he earned his doctorate In addition, he the past month: Councilwoman Cheryl degree, which specializes in Political Science worked with the Frye-Cromwell received the National and American Indian Studies. In addition, Navajo Nation as a Partnership and Leadership Award from Dr. Davis holds a Master of Arts degree Legislative Advisor Indian Health Services.