Wampanoag Tribe Native American Nation – Keepers of the Earth honored

As attendees watched the Barnstable County Human Rights Awards Breakfast, Sheila Lyons said the county collectively “recognizes that Cape Cod occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary land of the Wampanoag tribe.”

The land recognition is the first of its kind in the history of the county, she said.

“We recognize, support and advocate the sovereignty of these indigenous communities,” said Lyons, a member of the Barnstable District Commissioner and liaison to the Barnstable District Human Rights Committee. “We reaffirm indigenous sovereignty and will work to make Barnstable County more accountable to the needs of all indigenous people.”

Lyons’ comments kicked off the county’s annual human rights breakfast, which this year was titled Honoring the Wampanoag Nation – Keepers of the Earth. About 150 people attended the Zoom teleconference virtual event on Friday morning.

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The keynote speaker was Jonathan Perry, council member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), who spoke about the history of the Wampanoag spanning “at least” 20,000 years, he said. The past 400 years have challenged tribal units across the region, but learning from those difficulties brings the ability to “create a better world for all,” he said.

“We can work collectively to address the changes that are being forced upon us by imbalances like climate change and superstorms and the erosion of the land that matters to us,” Perry said. “Together we must be the good stewards for whom our ancestors were trained and cared for – thousands of years ago.”

State Sen. Susan Moran, D-Falmouth, who spoke throughout the program, said she was moved by Perry’s words.

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“The Wampanoag nation stands for persistence, respect for the country, respect for women and respect for the elderly,” said Moran. “I am incredibly impressed with the opportunity to continue working with the Wampanoag tribe.”

US MP William Keating, D-Mass., Spoke about the youth of Wampanoag who received Unsung Hero awards at breakfast. Recipients included Jayden Murray, 16; Fionna Gately, 7; Ava Hannigan, 9; Ayanee M., 7; and Waanutam M., 9, all from Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, and Isaiah Peters, 14; and Storam Pauline Coombs of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe. The winners were recognized for activities related to environmental protection, cultural enrichment and the respect and honor of elderly and ancestors.

The youth of Wampanoag work consistently to “restore and preserve the environment and cultural heritage of the indigenous people in the area,” said Keating. Youth activism is “the key to improving the environmental aspects of climate change”.

“The Wampanoags carefully administered the land for tens of thousands of years, long before the arrival of European settlers,” Keating said. “The effects that centuries and an increasing population and all too frequent disregard for air, water and land have caused around us are a shame for our generation.”

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Speaking of the young winners, State Representative David Vieira, R-Falmouth said it was “good medicine” for a younger generation to be “committed to the future of their tribe.”

“Not just the future of their culture, but also the future of the shared vision of collaboration,” said Vieira. “Together we will be able to overcome challenges, correct injustices, and create a greater vision for the future of those who came before us and all of us who are here today.”

As the leader of the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, Melissa Ferretti spoke brightly about the tribal youth who “strengthen each other and work as a team”.

“Our tribal youth are of paramount importance, and we always have an inherent need to share the strength and resilience it takes to nurture youth development, self-confidence and leadership,” Ferretti said. “We are committed to empowering and educating them about these values ​​to ensure they are prepared for a strong future as self-determined citizens of the Herring Pond Wampanoag tribe and the Wampanoag nation as a whole.”

Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, chairwoman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), while not selecting specific youth award winners from the tribe, said she honored “all Wampanoag youth” and promoted their ability to “maintain connectivity.” together.”

“They are the cultural bearers of our future and our present – together they showed what it means to be a tribal community by staying together,” she said. “We applaud and appreciate you all.”

While programming for the awards breakfast continued, other awards received including John Reed, President of the Cape Cod Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Co-Founder and President of the Zion Union Heritage Museum in Hyannis, which won the Rosenthal Community Champion -Award; William Mills, a former Cape Cod Times Editorial Pages editor who won the Cornerstone Award; and Sandra Faiman-Silva, author of The Courage to Connect, who won the Tim McCarthy Award.

Patricia Oshman of Barnstable County’s Human Rights Commission named Reed a community member who is committed to “promoting and supporting human rights, concepts and ideals.” Since Oshman and Reed jointly initiated the Human Rights Academy, Oshman credited him for bringing black history and literature to the area’s schools; Establishment of the Zion Union Heritage Museum; and the introduction of bilingual teaching at American Red Cross sites in Massachusetts, including CPR and first aid training.

“He’s a leader – not just for the People of Color, but for anyone in need of advocacy and rights,” she said. “He changed my life. He changed everyone’s life.”

Despite making many contributions to the Cape community, Reed was humble but emotional during his acceptance speech.

“I’ve done a lot of activities and mentored a lot of people, but there is a good reason,” he said. “And so people can find a way to work together, live together, and, more importantly, act in the best interests of the community they love. These are the things I’ve tried and probably will continue to do over the years. “

A former student of Reed, State Representative Kip Diggs, D-Osterville, shared his memories of Reed when he was only 5 years old. Reed taught Diggs with all of his brothers and sisters throughout his elementary school and high school years.

“Everything he did taught me how to hold myself – he taught me respect and honor and always took care of us,” he said. “He showed me how we all have gifts and how to show those gifts.”

As the program ended, Jeanne Morrison, a member of Barnstable County’s Human Rights Commission, said it was thanks to all of the award winners and the Wampanoag tribe that the fight for human rights continues.

“As far as I know, this is the first time the county has put the tribes in the foreground like this,” she said. “This was a great platform to create awareness, teach moments, and pay honor and respect. Let’s step up. We know what we need and we are clear on the way to justice. “

https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/2021/12/11/award-event-honoring-wampanoag-nation-keepers-earth/6465359001/