Native American elders from various Tribes throughout Connecticut participated in a Native Elders Wellness and Cancer Prevention Luncheon on October 16 at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center. The event, which was organized by Mark Samos of Tribal Council Secretary Charlene Jones' office, was a forum for Elders to discuss the key steps in the promotion of colorectal cancer awareness and screening for Native Americans in the Northeast.

    Secretary Jones told the attendees that cancer has touched her family and is on the forefront of her mind. She thanked Mark Samos for leading these efforts on her behalf. She then spoke about the recent 26 mile cancer walk she had completed.

    "You all inspired me because that one day doesn't compare to what you've been through," said Jones. "I celebrate you, your life, and commitment to bringing awareness." 

    The luncheon and discussion were funded by the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation and hosted by the Northeast Tribal Cancer Program. The Northeast Tribal Cancer Advisory Board received a grant through the Lance Armstrong Foundation to fund this 1-year project. The board is currently made up (More)

Hilton Mystic sale to a Maryland company is completed

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and RLJ Lodging Fund II, LP (RLJ) of Bethesda, Md., have closed on a purchase agreement for RLJ to purchase the 184-room Hilton Mystic from the Tribal Nation for an undisclosed sum.

    The sale was completed in mid-October.

    The Hilton Mystic is the landmark hotel in the village of Mystic, opened in 1986 just off Exit 90 of Interstate 95. It is across the street from the Mystic Marinelife Aquarium and down the street from Mystic Seaport.

    The hotel is now managed by Crescent Hotels and Resort of Fairfax, Va.

    The two principals in the sale are well-known in their respective fields. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation owns and operates Foxwoods Resort Casino - the world's (More)

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Pequot Schooling, part 2

Candyce King teaching Mashantucket Youth as part of the Summer Camp program. Bob Halloran photo

Recently, and in the spirit of the new school year, I was asked to write a brief article on how the Mashantucket Pequot taught their youth.  Historically speaking many Pequot children from the 17th century onward were indentured servants or laborers educated in Euro-American households. Removed from their communities and stripped of language and cultural traditions, shamed of and compelled to hide their Indian identity, little has been written and recorded about the educational practices of Native people in the New England.

    In the October issue of the Pequot Times, Tribal Member Debra Jones shared her experience, and in this issue her fellow Pequot Candyce King does the same. In the December issue, Erin Hall will write about her upbringing in the final part of this series.

 Candyce King, age 31:

Growing up my parents worked a lot in order to give us the barest of necessities and so I was given many tasks at an early age.  For example, at age six I was responsible (More)

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