Wuneekesuq (Good Day!) Nutus8ees Chenoa Peters (My name is Chenoa Peters). I am currently the 2017-2018 Mashpee Wampanoag Pow Wow Princess. As the Princess, I have traveled to many Pow Wow’s here in New England and my goal is to be able to travel to Bermuda to attend the St. David’s Pow Wow in June 2018. I have funds to cover a portion of the trip but not all of it; my parents will also be contributing and traveling with me. We will be doing raffles, having bake sales and putting on events to raise the money. Any donation (gift cards, crafts, monetary) would be appreciated and very helpful. I have included my Princess Bio and information about the St. Davids Pow Wow to help you understand why it would be an honor for me to attend. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, @ 508-367-7125 or by email Chenoa.peters@gmail.com. Donations can be picked up or mailed to Chenoa Peters 131 Main St, Mashpee, MA 02649
Thank you,
Chenoa Peters, Mashpee Wampanoag Pow Wow Princess
St. David’s Pow Wow
The St. Davids Islanders and Native Community’s mission is to preserve, illustrate, exhibit and promote the unique heritage of St. David’s Island, as well as other histories of Native cultures in Bermuda. Our ancestors were brought to the island of Bermuda as slaves with many of them coming from New England following the Pequot War (1636-1637) and the King Philip's War (1675-1676). Records were not kept in the interest of preserving the history and culture of a people, but as inventory since slaves were considered commodities.
As such, our connection to the East Coast Woodland tribes was first taught to us by our elders. This was researched by members of our community and led us to reconnect with the Mashantucket Pequot, Mashpee Wampanoag and Narragansett tribes.
Our first reconnection ceremony took place in St. Davids, Bermuda in 2001 and representatives from the above mentioned tribes shared songs and dances that we had lost as a result of slavery. This reconnection celebration has evolved into a pow wow that takes place every other year in St Davids and with each powwow, there have been representatives from the eastern Tribes, specifically Mashpee…..Their Elders, Spiritual Leaders, Governmental Leaders, Traditional Leaders, Wakeby Lake singers, Nation Singers & Dancers represent and strengthen the re-connection.
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal member Alice Lopez tightened the bond between Mashpee and Bermuda by often visiting our Bermudian family and teaching songs and dances. Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Elder Anita Peters also offered her regalia-making art to assure our Bermudian cousins were all out-fitted in the eastern traditional style whether in Bermuda or here in the states.
