In the wake of the federal government’s decision to rule against the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the Mashpees have had a few moments in the limelight recently, both in the pop culture world and the national tribal community.

Tribal leaders and drum group Eastern Suns opened a concert for alternative pop band Portugal. The Man at the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion in Boston on Sunday, September 23, in front of a crowd of thousands.

Mashpee Town Manager Rodney Collins will be traveling to Capitol Hill to advocate for pending legislation that would end a legal challenge to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s reservation.

The Mashpee Board of Selectmen issued a statement Tuesday expressing its disappointment over a Sept. 7 decision by the U.S. Department of the Interior that found the tribe was ineligible to have its 321 acres of land taken into trust. The board has authorized Collins to meet with the town’s legislative consultant and members of Congress to “further advocate for the adoption” of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reaffirmation Act. The legislation was introduced by U.S. Rep. William Keating and U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, both Massachusetts Democrats, in the House and the Senate, respectively.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Community Development Corporation (MWCDC) provided the 102nd Intelligence Wing with a Statement of Need (SON) response on Saturday, September 15. The Letter of Interest (LOI) outlines the MWCDC’s ability to secure and operate the Joint Base Cape Cod (JBCC) Water System and Wastewater Treatment Plant for the betterment of the Cape Cod community.

The Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project, a nonprofit dedicated to reviving and teaching the tribe’s long-lost language, will receive a roughly $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help expand its teaching curriculum to native toddlers and students within the Mashpee public school system and the tribe’s language school, according to Jennifer Weston, who directs the tribe’s language department.

Thanks to a true collaboration of efforts with the Samaritans of Cape Cod and Cape Cod & Island Suicide Prevention Coalition, and Indian Health Services Behavioral Health Team, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s Health and Human Services Department kicked off its first Suicide Awareness and Prevention Campaign to promote and educate the Community on Suicide Prevention.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe AmeriCorps Program is currently seeking 10 motivated Native American individuals 18-24 years of age to serve the Mashpee Wampanoag Community in Full time (1,700 hours) service opportunities.

Over nine years ago Tribal Citizen Stanley Dutra wanted to find a way to formally remember, celebrate and honor our family and friends that have passed on to the spirit world. With that purpose Ancestor’s Day was created. Nine years later our Old Indian Meeting House Committee was pleased to continue this annual event by hosting the 9th Annual Ancestor’s Day on Saturday, September 22.

The Medicare Open Enrollment period runs through October 15th through December 7th 2018. During this time period is when all people with Medicare can change their health plans and prescriptions drug coverage for the following year to better meet their needs.

The Tribal Youth Council has organized another scary fun evening for our kids in the community with the annual Granny Squannit Walk on Saturday, October 27.

The event will start at 5:00 p.m. at the Powwow Grounds adjacent to the Tribe’s Community and Government Center with a spooky walk to 55 Acres at dusk to hear stories from Granny Squannit.

On Saturday, September 22 all Wampanoag people, including the Mashpee, Aquinnah and Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribes came together with friends from the community at the 19th Annual Wampanoag Day Celebration at the Aptucxet Trading Post Museum in Bourne.

Tribal Citizens along with family and friends from the community are invited to attend the 9th Annual Native American Thanks Giving on Saturday, November 17. The annual event, which is coordinated by the Old Indian Meeting House Committee, will open at 11:00 a.m. at the Old Indian Meeting House with an opening ceremony and prayer.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Education Department has organized several fall education events and programs for tribal students. These events are made possible thanks to the NYCP Grant. Programs include college admission’s support, college visits, tutoring, college nights, mentoring, college fair and more. For more information about any of the programs listed below or to register, please contact John Hanlon at (508) 237-0041.

Join 12th generation Cape Codder Todd Kelley and native Wampanoag/Nipmuc Marcus Hendricks on a series of walks exploring the lives of the First People local to this area and the circumstances that led up to their first encounter with the Pilgrims. We will then examine the consequences of interactions that followed up to the time of King Philip’s War in 1675. The Harwich Conservation Trust, Wellfleet Conservation Trust, and Truro Conservation Trust have partnered to offer this unique walk series. The land trusts in each of the three towns preserve natural lands within their communities to protect forests, marshes, meadows, ponds, coastal waters, and a diversity of other natural resources.

This Elder has had enough of losing our tribal youth to suicide or substance abuse. It makes me very sad and I cry for long periods of time. There’s no more tears that this old bat can share and my body is aching with pain. As a matter of fact, to any of us feel like this. I’m speaking to those who now may have the same thoughts. It’s not fair, first to yourself, loved ones, community or friends or to the Native cultural tradition meaning about sitting in a circle to share what is in your heart. This is one special place where we can help you heal and better understand how important you are to life especially to your family and Wampanoag human race.

Since September 24 there has been a voter registration table located in the lobby of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Community and Government Center. The deadline to register for the November election is Wednesday, October 17. Native votes make the difference and we want to make sure your voice is heard on the November 6 election day.

Earlier this spring we celebrated the life of Miss Helen Madeline Edwards.

Miss Helen was born in Mashpee on Lovell’s Lane on February 20, 1920 and attended school in Provincetown, MA

Married to Irving Edwards in May of 1939, they had three children; Irivng F. Edwards, Barry W. Edwars and Lynette Edwards Radzewicz (deceased).