CapeCodToday Blog Chowder

Quahog, Wamp-pride — happy to "see" you both again! I share your frustration over seeing the same few people repeatedly attack the character of ALL Wampanoag with distorted or completely false claims… Although it feels good to 'vent' I expect that you already know that you can never “out-shout” or otherwise win an argument with a person who is determined to remain ignorant. Nevertheless, apart from a handful of misfits, most non-natives living on CC don't seem intent on spoiling your party, but many of them appear to have concerns about how their lives may be impacted by the Mashpee & Aquinnah tribes' economic development plans; I'd have to guess that even the most-reasonable folks reading these columns won't find much enlightenment or reassurance in "NYFB!" and "You'll just have to trust us!"

(Btw, W-P, you had me R-O-F over your Bush comments — Perhaps you’ll agree to support my plan to forcefully relocate the minority of Americans who actually voted for him, to a Reservation in Texas — while the rest of us figure-out how to repair all the damage he’s done…)

=:)

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The BIA establishes the criteria for enrollment as part of each tribe's petition for restored sovereignty; thereafter, the BIA must also approve all changes to tribal enrollments, on an ongoing basis… Any additions to tribal rolls are given particularly close scrutiny by BIA staff, since they directly affect the apportioned federal benefits paid to each tribe, in support of many activities & services. Coincidentally, the BIA workload is lessened by dis-enrollments, so they appear to cynically rubber-stamp these kinds of petitions… (In other parts of the USA, this has led to massive dis-enrollments instituted by unscrupulous tribal councils, in order to greatly enhance the shares of gaming & other revenues paid to the 'surviving' members.)

Now, Peter already KNOWS all this, but he REPEATEDLY chooses to NOT present his 'breaking news' in a balanced, factual way, since he's also learned that it's far-easier to inflame the passions of naive readers who hang on his every pronouncement, by only feeding them 'facts' & innuendos which appear to support his publisher's agenda!

=:(

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Despite this headline's claim, the Cape's 3x increase in foreclosures is identical to the 3x overall increase since '06, for the entire state. Other media have reported Quincy & Worcester as the 'hot pockets' …

(Jack has a tendency to re-write history or find psuedo-historians who will do that for him… )

"Democracy" had actually been flourishing for several centuries in North America, before European invaders arrived & undemocratically stole the native americans' land away from them! Ben Franklin used the centuries-old Iroquois' Constitution as a model when drafting our own USA Constitution. (Nice picture though, Jack…)

Quahog - Love ya man! Glad to see you're still hanging around the flats; stay strong, while you wait for the tide to turn… ""Acicuwon"

Bittersweet, this is not about MY time being wasted… Cape Cod is at a crossroads; physical isolation & inflated property values are no longer enough to keep the ‘real world’ from coarsening or overwhelming the Cape’s rustic charm & fragile ecology. Those who choose to obstruct progress by lying down in front of the “Bus” will probably be run over by it; others may silently step aside & watch the Bus pass them by; those who would take control of their destinies will climb aboard the Bus, and have a say in the direction it takes – not by rudely jerking the steering wheel, but by planning the trip in concert with all occupants. I’m sad to witness many lost opportunities to do that here, represented by incessant, small-minded tactics displayed – even encouraged, which serve no purpose beyond giving the timid & uninspired false comfort that they are somehow delaying the inevitable. I know there are still many visitors here, hoping to engage in constructive discussions; I no longer believe that’s possible, given CC2day’s apparent intent to become the “National Enquirer” of blog space…

:(

Wamp-pride, Quahog - feeling the futility of attempting to inform people whose minds are closed to truth? Many times I’ve asked hostile people to state why they are so threatened by the tribe, but they continue to screech like quarrelsome gulls at a landfill. Many reasonable folks have already wandered off or now just silently watch these sad antics; some had our blog identities hijacked, so that deceitful shape-shifters could pretend that their words came from others' hearts. I have now accepted that the CC2day atmosphere has become too toxic to support productive discussions on a variety of topics important to this region…

So, Wôpanâshqâ & I are creating a moderated blog where Mashpee & Aquinah can speak freely about ‘most any topics, & we promise to keep it fun & friendly! We’ll also post art, photos and personal reflections about contemporary Wampanoag life, along with your hopes for the future. We’ll welcome your ideas for content & your contributions too; to offer help or learn more, leave your name & evening phone # with the Council receptionist.

(B'-bye to “1100 or less”)

"Legalbeagle" you were already warned that enrollment document would only be useful to an honest, open-minded person. Now, your brief commenting history makes you appear to be one of several shape-shifters who have been urgently summonsed from other planets by the editors of CC2day's blog space during the last few weeks, to replace other commenters who have wandered off in complete disgust. I'm certainly impressed by the personal sacrifice represented by your collective sudden appearances, but I just don't get it… What do the Mashpee Wampanoag now have or might eventually have, which you appear intent on denying them? Or perhaps you'll just comment on which unnamed goodies you're worried about that might not be fairly shared with you…

..

Quahog, don't you also find it "funny" that some commenters claim to know more about what's on "MOST" tribe members' birth certificates, that those who have actually seen them? Moreover, there's no possible merit in "dianab's" innuendoes, even if they were accidentally true! - - Listing any particular nationality on a birth certificate is a matter of personal choice; however, it takes 150 years of continuous, fully-documented lineage to tribal ancestors to actually qualify for tribal enrollment - Not that this will be much help to those who desperately prefer to be terminally confused, but the actual enrollment requirements are posted at:

http://tinyurl.com/ysdaef

:)

Thanks Quahog! There are still some remaining here who would prefer to "know," rather than taking comfort from swapping shallow assumptions; I'm grateful for the factual contributions from you & a few others, which keep this site from becoming a total work of fiction…
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Wow, Bittersweet, you can't collect Social Security 'til you're "80?" You must be way-young, or really bad at math…

For your sake, I hope that both are true! ;)

Wamp-pride -"Lost?" - On the contrary, I expect that you always know exactly where YOU are, and it's OTHERS who may not know how to find you… Still, I have occasionally noticed you lose your place in a thread, when you have both 'phones, two Word documents & three chat windows all underway at once! Whew, that computer never rests, once you're sittin' in front of it!

;)

Susan please accept my apologies for momentarily overlooking all YOUR fine qualities! Unfortunately, ESP doesn't appear to be one of yours, either… ;)

Wamp-pride, I understand that 'lurking' may be a wise warrior's way to pick the best time & place for engaging; I also know that's not a comfortable way for one whose heart is filled with so much pride & compassion. I'm gratified to see what still draws you out from time-to-time; those moments speak much of your character! Nevertheless, despite having many fine qualities, ESP does not appear to be one of 'em; if you've been calling, you'll need to actually leave a message next time… ;)

Peter, the process of re-establishing tribal sovereignty is "odd" as you say - & in many ways, a sad, humiliating excess as well; however, I can assure you that it has absolutely nothing to do with what "makes an Indian" feel like an "Indian" or makes them any more or less authentic in the eyes & hearts of other native americans!

Fillet & Peter (K?) - I believe that those eligibility requirements are actually contained in an 'ordinance' which is referenced as a constitutional requirement. That ordinance was part of the tribe's sovereignty application, and is a public record. I think that the distinction is worth noting, because - just as with the US Constitution, laws (ordinances) passed by Congress (Council) are far-easier to adopt & amend than the actual Constitution which refers to them. However, laws & ordinances DO have to be consistent with the intents of their respective constitutions…

As far as rights of sovereignty granted thru tribal recognition, much confusion occurs because native american tribes have three avenues they can pursue for obtaining sovereignty, and many tribes have chosen a negotiated 'bartered' agreement, trading away some of their rights, in order to avoid the lengthy (30 yrs+) & costly (Million$ +) process to obtain all rights potentially available. (The Mashpee are only 1 of 2 tribes east of the Mississippi, who have taken the long route, to full-sovereignty.)

% of what, Cape07? As must already be obvious from these discussions, it should require a whole-heart!

Diana, Jack has lots of practice with his one debating trick - pretending to be a fun house mirror, in order to challenge folks perceptions of what they honestly see going on around them; remember, you're still the final judge of whether or not he's any good at it!

@*~(( ? - Nah; no way! =;)

Wamp-pride, please get in touch with Wôpanâshqâ; you can leave a msg at the Council office - Thanks!

Danasb, Cape02661, - appears that Diana's prayer cast a wide net!

:)

Actually, I believe they were overheard muttering about convincing someone else to try it out first… Be warned!

First off, when we're talking about a risky time travel notion, at the very moment that Jul3ia shows up in her own strip, I suggest something very significant is about to occur. I hope the bro's realize that the direction of travel in time - either forward or back, is determined by reversing the toaster plug in the wall outlet; wouldn't be fair to send Jul3ia hurtling-off in time without an appropriate wardrobe & survival tools (ie., spear or credit cards…) Also, Jul3ia, absolutely do NOT let go of the fork - under ANY circumstances - until you come to a complete stop! (Then, if you can afford the postage, please send us a postcard, OK?)

;)

wamp-pride, curiouswamp, quahog, - do not be concerned that you're being abandoned to promote Wamp-truths by yourselves; watch for interesting new developments…

I suspect that the Lynch piece may have been a deliberate provocation to draw members of the Mashpee clan into a discussion of their origins and cultural identity. If so, it appears to have worked, but I'm perhaps most affected by my sense of Wôpanâshqâ's pain & frustration over being "summonsed" to deliver yet another re-counting (or accounting) for still another set of neophytes & disbelievers. It has to be the same sort of pain & outrage that a jew experiences, when they encounter someone trying to discredit the holocost!

I certainly hope that no one on the CC2day staff is sufficiently crass to feel even slightly self-congratulatory about what we've witnessed here, this evening…

=:(

Jack no one but someone who had no choice about "being an Indian" would have the enthusiasm for the sort of life-long studies that Wôpanâshqâ has enthusiastically undertaken.

Wôpanâshqâ - what a relief! - I thought you'd stormed-off, taking my fuzzy hide with you!

Please don't **** storm-off so close to the **** goal line…

;)

Despite this astonishing display of linguistic knowledge (I'm having serious tongue cramps, trying to keep up) I'm still in hopes of seeing some strong refutation of Mr. Lynch's central theme - that the Mashpee Wampanoag did not earn~deserve their restored sovereignty … Please?

I have seen a map very much like that at the Aquinah tribal website…

I'll be here, to "egg" you on (& keep it legal)

Glad you saw this Wôpanâshqâ,; I'm looking forward to reading your rebuttal.

Whoo-boy! Mr. Lynch, I expect you're due for a trip to the woodshed… =:(

Cute woodcuts don't of themselves, add authenticity to an admixture of facts & rampant speculation. As a point of fact, the Mashpee Wampanoag chose to pursue a far-more rigorous proof of their continuous existence, than all but one other tribe east of the Mississippi. Their restored sovereignty was a result of submitting 10's of thousands of pages, documenting that the tribe & its members meet rigorous tests imposed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and thus outside the domain of lobbyists & congressional gerrymandering, which may have influenced other tribes' recognition attempts. As an outsider to the tribe's culture, Mr. Lynch's story appears to have been largely based on an impoverished written set of "facts" about the Mashpee, which seem to ignore their rich, authenticated oral history. Without some underlying political agenda, I would expect a bona-fide historian to give the richest possible accounting of history, rather than offering selective facts framed in unjustified speculation & innuendo…

JC, when your mind ISN'T already made up, you usually do better vetting…

=:(

Wôpanâshqâ, there are already several items on the table, but I hope you will explain what a "NARF" is; sounds quasi (queasy) governmental - can that be a good thing?

(OK, gotta go make my meager living; I do so hate to walk away from this much fun!)

=;)

Thanks for your reassuring words, Blogcensorship ('least, I think…) A skiff is a dinghy - both are boats… And, it's mid-day! Why would you suspect I might be hangin' out in the bedroom… and with a set of oars?

(Thanx 4 suggesting th' 'visual' - ROF~LMAO!!!)

Blogcensorship, I have to admit that remark caused my skiff to list unexpectedly. After a brief pause to dry myself off & retrieve the oars, it occurred to me that you may have thought you were speaking to one of the bloggers whose stage name is "Mwalim" - -

On the other hand Muwin is the Maliseet name for black bear, with a reputation for wisdom & diplomacy; I picked it 'cuz I need all the daily reminders I can get, that I'd actually like to be though of that way, some day… (So. yank my pants, to remind me, if you see me messin'-up - OK?) ty-2u2

=;)

From what I've read elsewhere, this recent piece of Peter's may contain factual & conceptual errors about the clan's business, such as why the Bingham's were actually shunned, as well as any legal (constitutional) grounds for shunning… Also, it's not clear to me, if the Bingham's are intending to act as ad-hoc heroes, coming to their clan's rescue, or if their proposed suit will have them acting as private citizens, pursuing their personal interests. Can anyone offer some needed clarification on these points? - tia…

Wôpanâshqâ,, Quahog, Wamp-pride, Wamptruth, TWG, As an outsider, I was thrilled to see this discussion quickly settle-down and offer a window to the world, on a reasonable discourse among clan members.

Out of 18 comments, I see only 3 that reference Peter, and only 2 of those are negative; moreover, there's nothing I see which implies that ANY of the commenters are/were GM supporters. So, I'm puzzled by "CCToday's" threat to (unfairly, imo) stifle free speech by threatening to cut-off this discussion. From past appearances, I've surmised "CCToday" may actually be an ill-fitting, hastily donned halloween costume worn by various members of the CCToday staff, when they wish to provide anonymous aid and comfort to a fallen comrade or floundering cause. Unfortunately, it sometimes appears that those in the suit still have a lot to learn about the somber role of "Guardian Bunny" inasmuch as they haven't yet figured out how to make the Bunny consistently speak out of the right end!

Please continue with your discussion; I am honored to "bear" witness… / Thanks!

Chuh, Wamp-pride, you've been making some really good points here, imo. But issues of quorum (or lack) have long-been discussed widely on CC2day, & every word contained in the Mashpee tribe's constitution is a matter of public record!

There's no smoking gun here…

(Whew! You are one way-formidible warrior-princess!)

=:)

While I respect your level of commitment, Buzz, I'm nevertheless relieved by thinking there's a very remote possibility of Dagny accepting your offer! If she does, be shua to get it in writing, before proceeding…

Hmm... A lack of policy could provide a convenient refuge for an unresponsive council;

Still, Deltaôp's comment also makes a point that asking may possibly reveal more than accusing or demanding…

Hmm... I wore polo shirt, jeans & sneakers during my last visit to UN (forgive me, Mom!)

I find it hard to remain diplomatic & composed in the face of so many serious claims of disrespect, shunning & dis-enrollment. This is neither the American or Native American way. As a whole, the Mashpee are right now cut-off from legal & financial resources which should be protecting the entire tribe's interests, rather than allegedly used to protect & empower a few…

Are there means & precedent for an ad hoc group from a tribe to directly petition the Bureau of Indian Affairs - for assistance with restoring accountability over a council that's gone rogue?

Can those "bunker walls" really be as thick as Sadam's? Can those "holed-up" in there be as desperate & ruthless?

Wamp-pride, your recent posts here, reflect that you are also listening to the wisdom spoken by quiet voices in your heart, & not just to the loud voices all around you; as such, you are representing your clan well!

'qotkomiksuwok! - (They are all one tribe!)

Bopo omg!!! - took me a few, to catch my breath & climb back into my chair after reading that…

Dagny, after your recent comments, I would never have expected you to apologize for that!

Besides, "muwin" is actually a fuzzy, adaptable spirt-bear; s/he can easily assume whatever form, personna & gender are most suited for the impending task… So, are we still on for tea?

Awesome! Simply awesome!!!

(B'sweet, if you're that serious about online romance, I suggest the chatrooms… Just don't invite Dagny; he's taken!)

;)

Wôpanâshqâ, I would feel a great loss if you were to withdraw!

As a teacher, you must accept that yes - sometimes you might need to scold a class harshly, in order to restore decorum. Now that you have our attention, please continue with your patient instruction; as a "Weaver & Keeper of the Web" you have a unique insights & valuable wisdom to share…

Ktolalokittiyewehkuhul! ???
'Koti-acehtuwanol wasisol wolekiyil…

;)

Diana, you are too sweet! - "Personally I do not believe violence is ever the answer." I urge you not to use reason, or breathing-out serenity, as your defenses against a raging kodiak, who's just decided that you are the solution to her cubs malnutrition! (assuming you won't immediately see that impending sacrifice as giving a higher purpose to your existence…)

My point is, I'd like to know lots more about how your philosophy transcends into practical tactics, when threats from those not subscribing to your principles actually threaten your lifestyle - even your life, and not just your admirable equanimity…

Dagny, I'm still holding-out hope for our impending tête-à-tête, but your morning's posts look like you're in the throws (pun) of serious nausea, induced by spinning in your own prop-wash… For God's sake man, grab for the pier, before it's too late! (Particularly, your comments about the Mashpee tribe bear NO relation to anything I'm reading/hearing about the prevailing consciousness within the tribe!)

Dagny, after scrolling thru your recent exchanges with Deltaman, I'm encouraged that his loss might prove to be my gain… I think that you'd be a fine companion for afternoon tea; you bring the strumpets, & I'll bring the crumpets - How's that?

Buzz, some "class acts" are ageless - fortunately, my wife still seems to think so…

Wamptruth, there are Mashpee who still value family & harmony over absolute purity; at least for the moment, they may be willing to forgive ignorance & naiveness without condemning them as complicity. Unity will be a great strength for the tribe, moving forward to resolve challenges & exploit opportunities… Many willing hands (& hearts) will lighten that multitude of future tasks. Please be patient - all things will right themselves in the fullness of time. Don't be too-quick to snipe at those who might not share your priorities for which "rightness" to tackle first…

True, wô, but when I'm THIS tired, I can barely maintain a human form, let-alone navigate it!

(Strikes me that my last comment could've stood with a few more commas; hopefully you got it's gist OK - if not here's some to sprinkle on , , , , )

Really gotta go - you don' wanna watch Muwin morphin' @ 11 - trust me on that!!!

Wôpanâshqâ, for better or worse, there are many other spirits afoot besides Muwin (I can't always agree with 'em, but they do provide entertainment!) Rest assured that, while discreet Muwin would never resort to trickery; you will always see me coming - straight on!

However, what other mischevious spirits may put asunder, I am somewhat practiced at fixing (computers, actually) so I'm sad that you are so far away… So, good luck with that!

;)

Wamp-pride, Wôpanâshqâ!

I am Passamaquoddy, but like many Wampanoag, I have ancestors from both sides of the water, and part of my "weight" - my heritage - is an unspeakable sadness, knowing that my ancestors - from both sides of the Atlantic - were systematically tortured, stripped of their possessions, forced off their lands, & millions of them were also starved, weakened by disease & then murdered, when they were just too "dumb" to take a hint… Hardly a day goes by, that I do not offer silent homage to their spilled blood & brave sacrifices that paved a path for my existence. I freely admit to having shared your anger, and certainly have good reasons for being filled with every-bit as much pride; still, I have come to understand that the best way for me to respect their sacrifices, is by standing up (mostly in small ways, but sometimes more…) against those same forces of fear, intolerance and greed they succumbed to, & have sadly survived down to this day.

So, if you're curious - ask me what might all this be saying to you, & perhaps other Mashpee Wampanoag? :)

…

Don't worry, DM; I'm glued to my chair!

(Actually, I think that it's from one of th' kids' bubble-gum, tho…)

Sure, u got a fave spot?

Wamp-pride, all the twists & turns in your recent responses are leaving me a bit confused 'bout who you're referring to in each post; tell me if any of those swings were aimed this way, & if I need to "duck" (quack!)

I liked DM's idea; I hope you'll consider it - sounds like wôpanâshqâ has "got your back" too…

Oh, Wamp-pride, can I buy you a coffee? A beer? ;-)

Hello, Wamp-pride - just catching-up here & saw signs of your recent scuffle; glad you came thru with no-more than a scraped elbow ;-)

And - I have never taken offense to anything you have said to me; the "diss'ing" bit was only to tease! I've never seen you ask for anyone's advice here, so I thought that this fierce warrior was surprisingly gentle & patient when listening to me! Of course, I now better understand more about why…

For now, let me just say that you & Keesuq remind me of the people that Oriah Mountain Dreamer is calling to in her "Invitation ." Btw, what do you know of "muwin" (black bear) - who is my spirit guide?

Ho!

That was my point, NN, after seeing your reply to dm's invitation. Just as well though, sounds like your life is already sufficiently complicated…

NN - r u prone to bragging?

Ha! I think that I've just been dissed (quite politely). That's OK, there are many other good ways to "listen" - I just offered one of mine to you. The Earth is our greatest source of strength, so it's important for us to regularly draw close to her, & know her heartbeat.

Ktankeyasin ~ take care!

Wamp-pride, I can certainly agree with much of your comment. Peter appears to be very complicated; perhaps, like many of us - a "work-in-progress" 'eh?

Some of the things that Peter his uncovered about the tribe's affairs are painful to accept, and made worse by his apparent delight in continuing to hammer GM, long after it stopped being useful. Strong medicine can taste very bitter when it's been heated-up, rather than served chilled. Either way, the "medicine" must be taken now, so that the tribe can face the future with strength & confidence.

I sense that you are willing/wanting to have a role in tribal matters, but maybe uncertain about where you'll best fit-in. There are wise spirits who might guide you, but they speak in very quiet voices… This is a great time of year to be quiet & listen! Take a night to sleep under the stars, & let yourself be touched by the truth all around you - the tourists are gone, & you won't be bothered by bugs any longer (do this soon, so that you aren't bothered by cold, either…).

I'm sure you will awaken to find good things in your heart!

Wamp-pride, Peter Kenney added another post @ Gadfly a few hours ago; I hope you'll read it, & - if you find it believable - Give Peace a chance to break-out…

Deltaman, some of us have noted that you have been supportive of the Mashpee tribe's sovereignty. Perhaps you should have waited a bit longer, before signaling your position - At least, until Keesuq offered to clean your house too… After all, it sounds like it's mostly his fault, that you could really use that right now!

Ho!

Some folks are expressing frustration over stalled negotiations between the Mashpee & Middleboro, & have found some convenient local targets for scorn & verbal abuse. However, a lot of folks still fail to realize that there's a big 'kicker' in that proposed deal, which requires the State to spend $250-million on roads & other improvements, in addition to whatever money comes from private investors. Massachusetts is already in-the-hole by a billion bucks, and scratching hard to find sources that will produce that needed cash quickly, rather than agreeing to add an additional $40 burden on every man, woman & child in the state, & having to wait years before seeing the 1st dime of payback! If the state moves to permit expanded gambling, it will likely 1st happen in ways which won't require a large up-front investment and a long wait for payback (like allowing slots @ Suffolk Downs). The good news is that there's nothing to prevent the Mashpee from sponsoring gaming activities that are legal anywhere else in the state, but that glittering casino in the clouds may still be a long way off…

Diana is attempting to point this discussion in a useful direction, imo. Clearly, most folks recognize that huge changes to their way of life could follow on from casinos sprouting up anywhere nearby. Without fully understanding the issues & risks, & knowing how to have a constructive voice in what's happening, it's likely that fears over impending change will produce the sorts of hostility & disrespect that's accompanied the Mashpees' march towards self-determination. The tribe's understandable "push-back" may look arrogant to some outsiders, but I believe that it's better cast as innocence and eagerness about all that lies ahead for them.

Truth is, that after 4 centuries, the fortunes & futures of both native americans & the "settlers" are so intertwined that no lasting benefit will result from any improvement in the fortunes of one group that's at the expense of the other. The real enemy of both may be the "coyotes" lurking in the shadows, waiting for a chance to raid the coop & steal the chickens...

Mwalim, the "ONLY dyslexic English Professor in the region?" (Or is that lexdysic?) That's a bold claim, sir, and I would proffer - a tad rash! I hope that your sources for that assertion meet the same high journalistic standards held by other bloggers at this site…

(Sigh, I share Buzz's despair; there doesn't seem to be any hope of resurrecting this discussion, and getting back to our re-inactment of the Battle at Little Bighorn…)

That was subtle cricket - I really admire that!

I sighted the same slip you cited right at this site a short while ago & silently shuddered; decided to cut the po' fella some slack tho, 'cuz he was takin' it from all sides at the time...