Friendship on display at reconnection festival in Bermuda
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| Members of Eastern Woodland Tribes and St. David's Island Indians complete a libation ceremony during the Reconnection Festival held in Bermuda in June. Anthony Kulla photo |
The theme of the event was reconnection, but that didn't seem to fit the gathering that I witnessed in Bermuda. No "reconnection" seemed necessary, as goodwill and friendship were present from the first instant the people from the Eastern Woodland Tribes and St. David's Island in Bermuda came together in celebration of their mutual ancestry and traditions.
"The Mashantucket Pequot Nation is honored to be here with our brothers and sisters from the Eastern Woodland Tribes, both from the northeast and here in Bermuda," said Kenneth Reels, Tribal Council Vice Chairman.
Those thoughts were echoed by the Sachem of the Mashpee Wampanoag (More)
Connecticut casinos: economic engines recognized at summit
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| Mohegan Chair Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum and Mashantucket Vice Chair Kenneth Reels greet each other before beginning a traditional ceremony at the start of the summit. Anthony Kulla photo |
"Absent the casinos, Eastern Connecticut would certainly have fallen on economic hard times." These words, spoken by Jeff Blodgett of the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, summed up the sentiment of the first-ever Native American Impact Summit, held on June 14th in Hartford at the Connecticut Convention Center.
The summit brought together business leaders, local and state government officials, and councilors from the both the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribe, who run Foxwoods Resort Casino and the Mohegan Sun respectively.
The day started off with a breakfast and welcome from Tony Sheridan, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, the chamber that spearheaded a group
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MPTN Graduation a celebration of a great future
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| Toni Parker-Johnson photo |
The 2007 Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation graduation ceremony was held on June 28 in the Pequot Museum auditorium. The program began with the procession of the graduates, followed by the Flag Song, performed by the Mystic River Drummers. As the Victory Song played, the Little Fox Dance Troup delighted the crowd. Tribal Council Treasurer Rodney Butler emceed the event, and gave the welcome address.
"To the graduates I say welcome and of course congratulations but more importantly I say thank you. Thank you for the hope, and joy and encouragement you bring to everyone in this room today and the many people you come in contact with in your lives," said Butler. "You all have a tremendous impact not only on yourselves but all around you."
Gandhi's quote ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world' was the inspiration (More)
2007
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.