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Indigenous Languages Conference: February 20-22 at Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation's fourth biennial Conference on the Reclamation of Indigenous Languages will be held at the Museum and Research Center from Wednesday through Friday, February 20-22, 2008. The conference is sponsored by the MPTN Language Reclamation Project overseen by the Historical and Cultural Preservation Committee. Tribal Council Secretary, Charlene R. Jones, has led this project since its inception. (More)
Drive for Diabetes tournament donates to research
| | Tribal Council Treasurer Rodney Butler and Tribal Councilor Richard E. Sebastian present Mary Kessler, executive director of the JDRF's New Haven Chapter, with a check for $25,000. The donation, which will go towards diabetes research, was proceeds from the Tribe's Drive For Diabetes tournament, which was held at Lake of Isles in October. Stephanie Powers photo |
On January 16 the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation received a $25,000 check from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. The proceeds were from the second annual Drive For Diabetes golf tournament which was held at the Tribe's world-class Lake of Isles golf resort on October 9th and was co-chaired by Councilor Richard E. Sebastian, and Tribal Council Treasurer Rodney Butler and sponsored by the Pepsi Bottling Group.
"This partnership with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation is amazing," said Mary Kessler, executive director of the JDRF's Greater New Haven chapter. "This group is so warm and wonderful, and they're perfect at what they do - everything runs so smoothly."
Sebastian said everyone within the Tribal community as well as tournament supporters from the local communities realize the significance of this golf tournament, and are willing to come out and support it. The tournament has grown immensely from it's first year. The tournament has an even more (More)
MPTN Inauguration an entertaining cultural affair
| | New Tribal Councilor Maureen Sebastian is sworn in by Council Chairman Michael Thomas. Anthony Kulla photo |
"Our inauguration is a bit different than you're accustomed to," said Tribal Elder and emcee Pedro Johnson to the crowd assembled in the Mashantucket Pequot Museum Gathering Space on Jan. 2.
"We need to enjoy ourselves as we get the job done," he added. That was certainly the case at this event. From the Mystic River Drummers playing the Tribe's Flag Song as the honor guard and Little Foxes Dance Troupe marched in, to a poetry reading by Pequot Royalty to the award winning music of Patrick Mirabal, the 2008 MPTN Inauguration ceremony was an array of talent and culture.
Johnson's comedy stylings also drew a fair number of laughs, but amid the fun was the serious business of swearing in councilors to lead the Tribe into the future and, as the closing of their oath states, "conserve and develop the Tribe's resources."
Councilwoman Marjorie Colebut-Jackson was sworn in for her second three-year term, and Maureen Sebastian took the oath for the first time. The Elders Council officers were also sworn in, with Priscilla Colebut Brown assuming the Chair of the Elders Council and Joyce Walker assuming Brown's previous Vice Chair position.
Even this serious part of the program was different than most inaugurations, as each elected official was hugged by everyone on stage after being sworn in as the crowd would rise to its feet in applause. The warmth radiated from the stage into the spectacular space. The sense of togetherness was amplified by Colebut-Jackson's address. "It takes all of us to lead, whether it's the Tribal Nation, the State of Connecticut, or the entire country," she said. Very appropriate words, considering the presence of over a dozen mayors, first selectmen (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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2008
