Breaking News: Vice Chairman Reels and Councilor Sebastian sworn in
A one-hour inauguration ceremony filled with strong endorsements of democracy and spirituality marked the swearing-in today of two Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council members and two Tribal Elders Council members.
The ceremony took place in the glassed-enclosed Gathering Space at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center. More than 100 people attended the ceremony, including tribal members, Foxwoods Resort Casino executives, and tribal and local government leaders, including North Stonington Selectman Nicholas Mullane.
All of the inductees took the time to praise the Creator, and the event clearly possessed a spiritual tone throughout. (More)
Governor Rell and Chairman Thomas help break ground at Otis library
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| After the groundbreaking ceremony, the Governor met with Mashantucket Pequot Tribal leaders at the Mercantile Exchange building. From left, Tribal Council Treasurer Rodney Butler, Gov. Jodi Rell, Council Chairman Michael Thomas and Pedro Johnson, executive director of Tribal public relations. Anthony Kulla photo |
The revitalization of Norwich took another step forward at the Dec. 6 Otis Library groundbreaking celebration. Gov. M. Jodi Rell was the keynote speaker for the event and praised the efforts of those responsible for making the project a reality. She singled out the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Council Chairman Michael Thomas for special thanks.
"Your belief in the city of Norwich cannot ever be underestimated. I thank you for believing in this city," she said.
A full house gathered inside 261 Main Street in downtown Norwich to celebrate the groundbreaking of what will be a completely renovated and expanded three-floor, 44,000 square foot facility. Speakers included Mayor Arthur Lathrop, Barbara Poirier, president of the Otis board of trustees and a Mashantucket Pequot, and Linda Summers, executive director of the library. They spoke in the unheated room adorned with festive miniature Christmas trees and a wooden box full of dirt and sand at their feet.
Chairman Thomas also took a turn at the podium (More)
Tribe brings holiday happiness to children
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| Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Councilor Chalita Young poses with children at AMOS house holiday party, which was sponsored by the Tribe. Ben Chevrette photo |
Holiday cheer comes in many forms, but for many families in Providence, it came in the form of a very familiar Pequot Tribal Member. Returning to the organization that helped her family during tough financial times, Tribal Councilwoman Chalita Young delivered 200 bags of gifts, food, face painting and entertainment to families of AMOS House, a charity organization for low-income families in Rhode Island.
"This means everything to me," said Young following the highly charged event. "Though we did a similar event in New London last week, coming here to the neighborhood I was raised in, seeing familiar faces still struggling made me cry. It really hit me personally this time." Having grown up in a multi-family house on the same block as the organization, Young and her family had depended on AMOS House for their support around the holiday season.
"She has never forgotten where she came from," said an old friend of Chalita's who brought her children to the event. "We all grew up here and times get hard; seeing her come back here and remembering what it can be like is amazing. These kids are so happy for anything they can get and she made it such a nice Christmas for them."
In a room packed with children of all ages (More)
2006
Framed against the sky, the lone tree on a knoll represents
Mashantucket, the "much-wooded land" where the Pequots hunted and
kept alive their identity as an independent people. Displayed on the
knoll is the sign of Robin Cassasinnamon, the Pequot’s first leader
following the 1637 massacre at Mystic Fort. The fox stands as a
reminder that the Pequots are known as "the fox people."
Pequot basketweave pattern.
A gift from the Winged Ones, feathers
carry prayers to the Great Spirit.