​Brief History of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

• Mashpee (the original name is Marshpee) is located on Cape Cod and is surrounded by the towns of Falmouth, Sandwich and Barnstable 

 

• The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is 11,000 years old – and is one of only 3 tribes remaining in our country from the original 69 tribes from the Wampanoag Nations
  • The other two remaining Wampanoag tribes are the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) on Martha’s Vineyard and the Herring Pond Tribe in Bourndale (just a few miles from the Sagamore and Bourne Bridges)

 

• The first visitors to the Mashpee Tribe’s land were the Vikings who came to Mashpee in the year 1004 (2024-1004 = 1,020 years ago!) 

 

• The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe was controlled by English settlers for hundreds of years. These settlers unfairly took away a lot of the Tribe's freedom,  many of their rights and much of their land.

 

• The culture of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe includes being kind and friendly.  This tradition of hospitality helped colonists from England to settle into the Tribe's land.

 

• Today the Mashpee Indian population is very small – for example out of 100 people in Mashpee only 10 are from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.  As of 2015, there were about 3,200 citizens of Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.

 

• Hunting, fishing, and planting have been a part of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe for thousands of years 

 

• When the English came to their land, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe began to trade fur, rope, timber, and sassafras (a plant used for medicine)

 

• The Mashpee Wampanoag men also got involved in whaling where they would be out to sea for a year at a time! 

 

• Fishing in Mashpee is still very common with many rivers “loaded with herring during the spring months”  

 

• Today, many Mashpee Natives work in construction/building and health care industries or they work for the tribe doing many different jobs

 

• The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe works with the U.S. government to support health, education and other needs of the Tribe

 

• The leaders of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe make sure that the culture and social justice of the Tribe remain strong.

 

• Some of the titles of Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe leaders include
  • The Chief and his Circle of advisors
  • The Medicine Man
  • Clan Mothers

The 103rd Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow : “Understanding the Ways of the Fire” 

• The Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow is a 3-day event that takes place every year on the Cape in the town of Mashpee.  Earlier this month (July 5-7) the 103rd event was held. 

 

• At this event, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s family and friends gather together to honor “The People of the First Light.” 

 

• The Powwow celebrates Wampanoag culture, community, and traditions including competitions for drumming, singing, and dancing.

 

• At this festival there are also many tables where you can buy traditional food and crafts from the tribe.  Some of the crafts include: 
  • Regalia – ceremonial clothing
  • Painting
  • Jewelry
  • Woodwork
  • Pottery / ceramics
  • Leather goods
  • Dolls / Toys
  • Sculptures, carvings, pipes

 

• Traditional ceremonies and events are also held including fireball, the Sly Fox Mishoon Race, and the sunrise naming ceremony.

 

• The tribe gives prize money to dancers and drummers who compete during the Powwow weekend including the Wampanoag Powwow Princess Contest and the Little Miss Wampanoag Contest

  
Notes from Interview @ Centerville Public Library | August, 2024

Powwow Princess of 2024: Ciara Hendricks

• ​Fancy Dancing is a fast Native American powwow dance that features jumping and twirling, with participants wearing bright colors and flying feathers and ribbons.
• Ciara also won the annual competition of Powwow Princess and was honored with this title in July of 2024.

Where do you live and what are you doing now?

• From Mashpee
• I work at The Raw Bar in New Seabury in the Summer
• Captain of the Varsity Lacrosse team and play basketball 

Why is the Mashpee tribe special to you? 

• The tribe is special to me because I grew up here
• I have experienced the powwows since I was a baby
• It’s special to have this cultural connection and have my own traditions to share and show others what we do 

Favorite Memories from the Powwow 

• Winning Little Miss Wampanoag when I was little
• Having the opportunity to win it this year as the Powwow Princess
• My favorite day of the powwow is fireball which is on Saturday
• It’s very meaningful and personal
• It’s fun to show my friends how they do it and how they play
  
  
  

Who is one of the most inspiring female role models for you? 

• Ever since I was a little kid I did dance so Missy Copleand has always been one of my favorites
• She was the best ballerina ever!
• Recently definitely my sisters and my mom have been role models

What are your plans for the future? 

• I’ve been hoping to be a nurse, either a registered nurse or another degree but I’m still trying to figure out my way 

What inspired you to compete for the Wampanoag Princess?

• That day I actually wasn’t planning on applying for it but so many people were coming up to me and encouraging me to do it
• I had to think about it for a minute and understand the role and the type of responsibility that I would have
• So I decided last minute to apply and I did it and I became the princess!
• It’s a really big honor to have especially after being Little Miss W 

If there was a problem in the community what would you do about it? 

• First I would go to the tribal counsel and talk to my dad who is the Vice Chairman of the tribe.  
• I would have to see what the issue was and what I could do through our tribal government, which we turn to when we have issues

Where did you learn to dance? 

• When I was watching my sister dance that’s what first encouraged me 
• I went to different powwows and watched the same girls
• Its fun to see their moves and add them to your own … extend them … make your own moves

What’s it like being a princess? 

• It’s fun.  I like meeting people.  
• Little Miss Wampanoag’s name is Ivy and we have been close ever since she was a little baby, so I think it’s even more special having her next to me by my side as Little Miss
• Just having a strong connection with her and coming up with different to do to help the tribe to be stronger.

Do you ever feel like boys were more powerful? 

• I don’t think so. 
•  In my family I have 5 older siblings.  
• It’s common for me to have to fight with my older brothers or to try to be strong with them.  
• I’m very competitive so I like to try my hardest in everything I do so I think that’s a strong characteristic of mine. 
  
  Favorite Things
• Book: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. At school they would have a Dr. Seuss day and they would give us green eggs and ham for lunch and it was my favorite day 
• Colors: Pink and Orange 
• Animal: Dolphin or Elephant 
• Ice cream: Polar Cave in Mashpee and flavor is bubble gum
  Wampanoag Food: Indian Tacos. They’re fried bread with beans and lettuce, tomato and cheese. 

Sherae Miranda, Eastern Blanket Dancer 

• The blanket dance tells the story of a woman’s life, her coming of age and becoming a woman.
• This kind of dance is only celebrated in the Eastern region of our country

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Where you live and what you’re doing now?

• Grew up in Hyannis
• Work for the Cape Cod Foundation 
• Graduated from Barnstable High School 
• Was a flight attendant for 10 years traveled around a lot 
• Moved back to the Cape during Covid
• Took over my family’s home 

Why is the Mashpee tribe special to you? 

• It’s very special to me that the People of the First Light are recognized throughout Indian country before us  
• Embracing our culture and being with these two young ladies, I could be their mother, but I’ve watched them grow up in the circle and they’ve truly inspired me because of their love for our culture 
• I picked these two young ladies to join me today because I feel like they are two of the shining stars not just because Ciara’s a princess, it’s a big thing but prior to that they way they present themselves in sports as athletes and being able to wear a moccasin and a high heel is crucial in life, for all 3 of us
• I do believe that they will as adults too, they will carry on our traditions and be a part of the working force
• It’s important to know your culture and where you come from and have a firm understanding, and the 3 of us do.

Favorite Memories from the Powwow 

• My favorite is lemonade!  I had a lemonade stand and I danced and when I was younger
• Probably around 2016 my brother passed away and I hadn’t danced for maybe 20 years and I got back to the circle and it was great medicine for me just to be able to dance and be a part of the circle and not just as a vendor but more so as a dancer
• It really helped me during a trying time in my life and it built me up to be a stronger individual far beyond what I can explain to you 

What do you want people to know about your tribe and culture – at school and beyond?  

• I think people should know and understand more about our culture in regards to how a lot of things are sacred to us seeing and understanding our different dances and energy
• You can feel it when you’re watching as a spectator 
• I hope you have an opportunity to go so you can have a better understanding because everyone has different regalias, they have different colors, different styles

Eastern Blanket Dancing 

• My Aunt Vanessa really inspired me because I think she thought I was only going to do this for a little while but then I just got better 
• I was so engaged and I learned a lot on YouTube videos and I was trying to find my own style.  
• Eastern Blanket is a story of life and your story and some people think I dance a little too fast but my life was never slow
• I was on a jet for most of my 20s and travelings to different countries so I had to make my story authentic to me and my past
• I grew to live it in a different type of way and there was no one pushing me to do it
• I was in my 30s and I was like I want to dance again, I didn’t even have regalia, I just started collecting leather and feathers and made a blanket with my aunt
• Some family members took bets that I was going to quit but we got through it and that’s how i became a better dancer
• I was authentically me no matter what, whether people thought I was going too fast or you’re too upbeat you need to need to this or that and I just stayed with what was authentic to me and stayed true to myself 
• I went out there to dance and to get good medicine and I feel like I conquered that
• It was never about winning because I always had a great job
• It was more for my soul and being close to the creating and my culture  

Who is one of the most inspiring female role models for you? 

• I would say my mother.  She’s intelligent.  She’s a go-getter. She’s helped our tribe build a community center.  She’s the housing director.  She just brought $200 million in grants to our tribe and wants to help our tribe.  She’s well put together.  She’s a lady and I appreciate that a lot. 

Where did you learn to dance? 

• Watching as a spectator
• We all go to different powwows together and learn from our favorites

What is one of your favorite Wampanoag foods? 

• My favorite is the clambake 

Do you ever feel like boys were more powerful? 

• I never felt like that.  I feel as though everyone has their strengths and their weaknesses and I never really looked at it as a guy is more powerful
• In certain areas, you know what? I’m powerful in different areas.  So I never really looked at it like that, even growing up as a young girl.  
  
  Favorites: 
• Ice Cream: Steve and Sue’s in Hyannis and a strawberry sundae
• Book:  Curious George
• Color: corn blue 
• Animal: a giraffe and I love dogs
  
  
  
  

Brooklynne Ennes: A Celebrated “Jingle Dancer” 

• Jingle dancing is performed primarily by women, characterized by the light footwork and tinkling sound of metal cones attached to the jingle dress. The dance is a prayer or medicine dance, traditionally used for healing and is performed to a solid drumbeat. =

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Where do you live and what you’re doing now?

• From Harwich
• I go to  Monomoy High School
• I play field hockey and tennis 

Why is the Mashpee tribe special to you? 

• I’m from Harwich so I’m not in Mashpee as much
• Bu learning from Sherae and Ciara is very cool to see and I love dancing 

Favorite Memories from the Powwow 

• My favorite memory is also fireball
• You can get so close to a very dangerous game that they’re playing 
• I also have good memories of the 3rd day, the last day where there is not as much competition, you just hang out with your family and see everyone

What do you want people to know about your tribe and culture – at school and beyond? 
Understanding the meaning behind what we wear and our jewelry and dancing because it has special meaning to each person 
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Who is one of the most inspiring female role models for you? 

• Some of my female role models are my older cousins who dance and taught me how to dance. 

What are your plans for the future? 

• I’m looking forward to going to college 

Where did you learn to dance? 

• Learning from my family and watching a lot 

What is one of your favorite Wampanoag foods? 

• I don’t have a favorite.  I like a lot …. But I really like venison  
  
  
  

Do you ever feel like boys were more powerful? 

• I don’t think I looked at it like that either Everyone is strong in their own ways.  ​
  
  
  Favorites:
  Ice Cream: Sundae School in Harwich and coffee oreo
  Book: I forget what it was called but it was about a goose and a pig! 
  Color: light pink 
  Animal: a deer