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Democracy and spirituality center stage at MPTN Inauguration
| | Vice chairman Kenneth Reels and Councilor Richard E. Sebastian are sworn in by Chairman Michael Thomas at the Tribe's inauguration ceremony on Jan. 4, 2006. Toni Parker-Johnson photos |
Spirituality marked the 2006 Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council and Tribal Elders Council inauguration at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center on Jan. 4.
All of the inductees took the time to praise the Creator, and the event clearly possessed a spiritual tone throughout.
Council Chairman Michael Thomas pointed out the necessity of this difference from other political inaugurations.
"Without talking about ceremony - song and dance and culture, you cannot lead any Indian people," he said.
The event was preceded by a traditional smudging ceremony performed by Tribal Council Vice Chairman Kenneth Reels; a ritual way to cleanse an area of negative energy and spirits.
Tribal Elder War Chief Stan Harris Jr. offered the opening prayer for the event and was followed by the procession of the Tribes honor guards, royalty and the Fox Dance Troupe.
After that, multitalented Native American artist Patrick Mirabel played a flutel performance of his original song "Angel Above." Mirabel, of the Taos Pueblo and Jemez Pueblo tribes in New Mexico, began his performance interacting with the crowd before heading onstage to join the seven Councilors and three Elders Council officers.
(More)
Tribal Members building habitats locally and globally
| | Tribal Council Secretary Charlene Jones secures sheetrock during her volunteer efforts with Habitat for Humanity at a house site in Ledyard. Anthony Kulla photo |
Tribal Council Secretary Charlene Jones is no stranger to construction work. Her husband is a builder, and she's assisted him in building their own home, by hanging sheetrock, reading blueprints, and using her decorating touch. Secretary Jones has an extensive resume of volunteer work, so it's no surprise that she became interested in partnering with Habitat for Humanity, which she calls an "incredible organization".
"You don't have to have construction background, which is really great. This is an organization that accepts all levels," she says.
After a few meetings, an orientation and a training session, Jones and her staff were well on their way to becoming Habitat for Humanity volunteers. For two days in December they helped work on four homes in Ledyard, which are being referred to as the first "habitat community". Four acres of land were donated by a contractor, allocating one acre per house. The houses are matching Cape style, and are built according to the size of the family.
The need for affordable housing in the area is an issue that hits close to home. Jones said there are two hard-working Foxwoods employees that have benefited from Habitat houses. She said if towns and cities work together homelessness can be greatly reduced.
Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is a nonprofit, ecumenical (More)
Foxwoods Development Company and partners plan Philadelphia project
| | An artist's depiction of the proposed FDC project in Philadelphia. |
Philadelphia, PA. - Foxwoods Development Company has partnered with a group of local investors in hopes of gaining one of two casino licenses to be awarded in the city later this year. Five gaming companies are in competition for the licenses to be awarded by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Foxwoods Development Company, a commercial entity wholly owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, is seen as a strong contender for the license. It plans to build a $400 million casino on a key piece of waterfront property in the city.
"This represents our first pursuit of a commercial gaming license and it is an important one for the Tribe," said Gary Armentrout, FDC's chief development officer. "We have been involved in Indian Gaming but this will be our first venture in off-reservation gaming, where we compete as a commercial entity.
"The Philadelphia market is close enough to us so people know the Foxwoods name and its first-class reputation that the tribe has built over the years," he said. "We think this will be a great opportunity for the tribe as it seeks to diversify its economic holdings."
Partnering with the Tribe is a diverse group of primarily local investors, business leaders in this historic city, national sports figures and the legendary entertainer Quincy Jones. (More)
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| TRIBAL SYMBOLS |
 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.
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2006
