On December 27 the Baker-Polito Administration announced a $1 million award and state and federal tax credits to support the construction of Mashpee Wampanoag Village in Mashpee on land owned by the Wampanoag Tribe. The funding will catalyze a new affordable housing development, featuring 42 rental units, including 13 units reserved for very low-income families and individuals.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Education Department, through support from the Building Pathways for Tribal Youth, have organized a week of educational workshops, fairs and a basketball tournament during February vacation. All of the events, workshops and activities are free and open to tribal youth in middle school, high school or are college age and will be held at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Community and Government Center.

Tribal high school students enrolled in this year's first ever Wôpanâak Pasuq (Wampanaog Language Level 1) World Language class at Mashpee High School conducted interviews on December 11th with WCAI's Morning Edition Senior News Producer and Mashpee TV Producer Talia Landry. Held during the daily class time in the Mashpee Public Schools' Indian Education room, instructor Melanie Roderick, parent Judi Urquhart, and superintendent Patricia DeBoer were also in attendance for the interviews. Watch for their upcoming news radio and Mashpee TV spots coming soon! 

Starting in 2018 the Mashpee Wampanoag Housing Department will have a new program that it will be adding to its stable of housing assistance programs that it offers. The new Emergency Home Repair program, unlike many of the other programs that are targeting tribal citizens in search of housing, is geared towards homeowners in the Tribe’s service area.

From hurricanes to winter blizzards to nor’easters our Tribal Community in Barnstable County is vulnerable to large, destructive storms in any season. These storms can disrupt our daily lives with the loss of power, transportation, commerce, communications, and even housing. 

College Horizons, a six-day “crash course” in preparing for the college application process, will be holding a session at the University of Pennsylvania June 23-29. This is a summer college admissions workshop for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian High School Students. Tribal students interested in attending college are encouraged to apply now.

The article we are sharing this month addresses Community and Culture in Tribal Child Welfare Laws and Codes as it is written in the “Tribal Child Welfare Codes as Sovereignty in Action” developed by the Native Nations Institute and NICWA.  

The following articles will relate to Peacemaking and the Justice system.  I have edited some of the material to make it cohesive and easy to read.  Various tribes have included Peacemaking in their justice systems and provide a wealth of knowledge about the Peacemaking process.  We will examine the Navajo Peacemaking process.  It is a traditional method of Indigenous justice.  We will continue with Chief Judge Robert Yazzie of the Navajo Nation and look at some of the cases that were handled with Peacemaking.

Now that winter has officially arrived, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Emergency Management Department would like to share the importance of making sure that you are prepared for cold and inclement weather while on the road by having the right equipment and materials in your vehicle.  This can help you rescue yourself and others, or allow you to safely remain in place if help cannot arrive immediately. 

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe currently has open seats, including three (3) 2 year terms and one (1) 3 year term on its Enrollment Committee. One of the most important responsibilities of the Enrollment Committee is to review enrollment applications. Please visit the Tribal website at https://mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov/enrollment to review the Enrollment Ordinance.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is looking for tribal members to serve on the Land Planning and Use Committee.  This committee’s duties will consist of land use planning and land acquisition recommendations.  The committee will consist of nine tribal members who will serve in two-year staggered terms. If you are interested in serving on the Land Planning and Use Committee, please send a letter of interest along with your resume/CV to Francie Dottin, executive administrative assistant to the chairman, francie.dottin@mwtribe-nsn.gov.

The The Election Committee is looking for a dedicated tribal member to assist with the election process.  If you are interested in serving on the committee, please send a letter of interest to Francie Dottin, executive administrative assistant to the chairman, at frances.dottin@mwtribe-NSN.gov

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe currently has an open seat on its Housing Commission. The Housing Commission is tasked with policy-level goals, determinations and policy review that guide the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Housing Department.