2016 MWT Powwow Program - Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

95th Annual
PO WW OW
Mashpee Wampanoag
Brief History of the Mashpee Wampanoag
Welcome to Mashpee, the home of our tribe for approximately
11,000 years. Many a storm and visitor has swept through our woods
and found comfort on our beaches both fresh and salt. Our first visitors
from the west were the Vikings during the year of 1004. They anchored in
Waquoit Bay and stayed for quite a while longer than most folks use their
time-share abodes. We’ve seen many come and go like Verrazano, Cabot,
Zunis, Lenape and other explorers. We have a history of hospitality one
might say. Our culture directs us to be kind, friendly, and hospitable which
allowed the early English settlers to prosper.
The Mashpee Wampanoag are one of three surviving tribes of
the original sixty-nine in the Wampanoag Nation. The other two tribes
still living on their original homelands are the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay
Head (Aquinnah) on Martha’s Vineyard and the Herring Pond Tribe in
Bournedale. The Marshpee (later called Mashpee) tribe was under the
oversight of English missionaries for nearly 200 years. The reservation
period in Mashpee officially began in 1677 and restricted our freedom
until 1868. From that time up until around 1975 the tribe ran the town
government of Mashpee. We became overwhelmed with new residents that
very quickly took control of the direction of the town with an easy five to
one vote. Today the Mashpee Indian population is less than 10%.
Economically the tribe has adapted and managed in a number of
different ways besides hunting, fishing, and planting. During the 17th and
18th centuries we were involved in the fur, rope, timber, and sassafras trade.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries Mashpee Wampanoag men were engaged
in the whaling industry sailing the Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic and Indian
Oceans. Those mariners were usually out to sea for at least a year at a time
hunting whales. The fishing is still great here in Mashpee. Our rivers, the
Mashpee and Quashnet, have been loaded with herring during the spring
months. Smoked herring were exported to Europe from Mashpee during
the 20th century. The cranberry industry and a broom factory in Mashpee
also once provided local employment. Today most Mashpee Natives are
employed in the building and health care industries or working for the tribe
in a variety of professions. Subsistence farming, fishing, and hunting are
still practiced by tribal members. See you down the bay; try hard not to
leave a footprint.
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The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has both traditional and
conventional leadership for our people. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
is a federally recognized tribe (2007), allowing it to actively participate in
federal programs designed for Indian Nations. We maintain a government
to government relationship with all federal agencies to support the health,
education, and welfare needs of the tribe. Our traditional leadership
includes the Chief and his Circle of advisors, Medicine Man, and Clan
Mothers. The Chief and Medicine Man have permanent seats at the Tribal
Council table to ensure cultural concerns are included in decision-making.
Tribal members seek advice, ceremony, and social justice from these leaders.
The 95th Annual Powwow is being held at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds
at 1220 Nathan Ellis Highway (Rte. 151) in E. Falmouth, MA. This year’s
theme is “Honoring Our Circle - Breaking the Cycle of Addiction”. The
powwow is a traditional celebration of Mashpee Wampanoag culture,
featuring Native American dancing, drumming, games, food art, jewelry,
wampum, gifts, crafts and clothing. The tribe is offering up to $30,000 in
prize money for dance and drum competitions throughout the weekend.
Scheduled events and special performances include Host Drum:
Southern Eagle, the Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers, New England
Birds of Prey, Wampanoag Powwow Princess Contest, traditional clambake
and a ceremonial fire-ball game.
The powwow will feature Master of Ceremonies Earl “Chiefie”
Mills Jr., Head Dancers Deacon Wayne “Big Oak” Jackson and Winona
Hendricks, and Arena Director David Weeden.
The Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow is open to the public and offers
events and attractions for the whole family. Gates open at 10:00 a.m. each
day.
By Ramona Peters
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About our Powwow Princess
Wuneekesuq (good day)! Nutus8ees Abigail Peters- Booth (my
name is Abigail Peters - Booth). I am 16 years old and also the daughter of
Joanne Peters and Daniel Booth. My brother is Daniel (D.J. Peters-Booth),
the granddaughter of Edward and Jayne Peters, the great-granddaughter of
Ellsworth and Abigail (Pocknett) Peters and the great-great granddaughter
of Lyman and Gracie Peters. I’m also from the Bear Clan and my clan
mother is Mother Bear (Anita Peters).
I am a very humble dancer. I’ve danced traditional, fancy and I am
currently dancing jingle. I’m also involved in other traditional activities
such as youth cultural and dance class. I dance to honor my ancestors, my
family, and our Creator. I have been currently involved in youth council for
3 years as a councilwoman. I also observed youth council for 2 years before I
joined. Because of youth council I was eligible to attend the National UNITY
Conference (Arizona) in 2012 and gained leadership skills to bring back to
my tribe.
Additionally, I have sung with the Lady Hawk singers at practice
and I found a love for it. I have also helped my grandfather with his
vendor stand during powwows. As a junior in high school I enjoyed being
a varsity cheerleader and I like English and History. I attended the Native
Tribal Scholars program for 3 years to encourage me to go to college. I am
currently attending this program. I plan to move on to college and graduate
with my masters in nursing and my goal is to work full-time at Boston
Children’s Hospital as a Registered Nurse and to use the knowledge I have
now and in my future to help our tribal people.
I am honored and humble
to be powwow princess 2015-2016.
As princess I hope to accomplish
that our elders and youth come
together as our elders have wisdom
and knowledge of our traditions
to teach our youth. I love our
culture and traditions and hope
to accomplish an amazing year as
powwow princess. Thank you and
good medicine to all.
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P r o u d ly S u pp o r t i n g t h e 9 5 t h
A n n u a l M as h p e e W ampa n o a g
C o n g r at u lat i o n s
from
Powwow Schedule: Friday, July 1st
10:00 AM
Gates Open
11:00 AM
Music provided by John Lopes
12:45 PM
Opening Prayer: Medicine Man Earl “Soaring Eagle” Cash
Welcome: Chairman Cedric “Running Bear” Cromwell
1:00 PM
Grand Entry Line Up
Flag Song
Victory Song
Veterans
2:00 - 5:00 PM Intertribal and Contest Dancing
• Tiny Tots
• Golden Age: Men’s & Women’s
• Juniors: Boy’s & Girl’s
• Inter-Tribal: Drummers’ Choice
5:00 - 6:00 PM Intermission
• Native Women of Mashpee Blanket Dance
• Pueblo Dancers
• Wampanoag Singers and Dancers
7:00 PM
Grand Entry Line Up
Flag Song
Retreat song/Retire the Flags
Dance Exhibition
• Golden Age
• Juniors
Intertribal and Contest Dancing
• Teens
• Adults
Hand Drum Special
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Powwow Schedule: Saturday, July 2nd
10:00 AM
Gates Open
11:00 AM
Music provided by John Lopes
12:45 PM
Opening Prayer: Vice Chairwoman Jessie “Little Doe” Baird
Welcome: Chairman Cedric “Running Bear” Cromwell
1:00 PM
Grand Entry Line Up
Flag Song
Victory Song
Veterans
2:00 - 5:00 PM Intertribal and Contest Dancing
• Tiny Tots
• Golden Age: Men’s & Women’s
• Juniors: Boy’s & Girl’s
5:00 - 6:00 PM Intermission
• Honoring Hōkūle’a
• Native Women of Mashpee Blanket Dance
• Pueblo Dancers
• Wampanoag Singers and Dancers
Intertribal and Contest Dancing
• Intertribal: Drummer’s Choice
• Teens
• Adults
Specials
• Princess Special “Honoring Our Women Past & Present”
• Ianoxoo Men’s Traditional Special
7:00 PM
Retire the Flags
7:30 PM (Dusk) Fireball
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Powwow Schedule: Sunday, July 3rd
10:00 AM
Gates Open
11:00 AM
Music provided by John Lopes
12:45 PM
Opening Prayer: Aquinnah Medicine Man Jason Baird
Welcome: Chairman Cedric “Running Bear” Cromwell
1:00 PM
Grand Entry Line Up
Flag Song
Victory Song
Veterans
2:00 PM
Intertribal and Contest Dancing
• Dance Off
Tribal Youth Dance Class: Blanket Dance
Specials
• Alice Lopez
• Melvin Coombs
• Team Dance Special
• Matriarch Special
• Warrior Special
• Aliyah “Eternal Blossom” Brunson
• Hicks Family Honoring
Fireball Honor Song
Princess Exhibition and Crowning
Honor Song of Those Who Have Passed
3:00 PM
Lady Hawks Clambake
Intertribals
Awards
Retire the Flags
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Please Remember to Thank Our Friends
of the Powwow
From the Powwow Committee
On behalf of the 2016 Pow Wow Committee, we would like to take
this time and thank you for being a part of our homecoming. This is one of
the most anticipated events provided by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
that brings our family and friends together to honor “The People of the First
Light”. This committee has worked very hard to make this event possible
and we hope you all enjoyed your time with us.
We hope to see you again next year!
Thank you,
Brian Weeden, Chair
Cassie Jackson, Secretary
Ronalda Charlton, Treasurer
Delscena Hicks, Member
Danna Floyd, Member
Stanley Dutra, Member
Diane Johnson, Member
John Hughes, Member
Anne Marie Adkew, Member
Please Remember to Thank
Host Drum:
Honor Drum: Head Dancer:
Head Dancer:
Head Dancer:
Head Dancer:
Emcee:
Arena Director:
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Southern Eagle, Maxton, NC
Red Hawk Singers, Mashpee, MA
Deacon Wayne “Big Oak” Jackson
Winona Hendricks
Keon Jackson
Rachael Miranda
Earl “Chiefy” Mills
David Weeden
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TRIBE
Save the Date for our 96th Annual Powwow
June 30 - July 2, 2017
For more information about the Mashpee Wampan0ag Powwow,
call (508) 477-0208 or email powwow@mwtribe.com.