Author: Cheryll Toney Holley

The Used-to-Be Woods Across the Street.

Most folks that know me know that I’ve been mourning the loss of trees in the woods around my neighborhood for quite awhile.

Lately, though I’ve seen evidence that when something is taken away, something else is given. Where trees once stood, fields of plants abound. Seeds that lay dormant in the soil for who knows how many decades have given birth to a huge variety of flowers, herbs, and grasses.

I walk the dog in this used-to-be woods. Many of the plants now growing I don’t recognize. I keep forgetting the camera so I can take pictures and research those plants. I did find a bunch of mullein. The plants are much bigger than I’ve ever seen so I’m not 100% sure that they are mullein. But if so, then my mom and I wont have to make any more trips to the herb store this year.

Cattail grows in the wet areas. I hope to harvest loads this fall to use to cover the wetu on the rez. The USDA did plant some blueberry bushes and lots of non-indigenous shrubs and trees. There is a beautiful witch hazel shrub/tree that keeps calling my name. I guess we’ll have some tonic soon.

While I miss the coolness and beauty of the trees, I am appreciative of the life now in my midst. If only I’d thought to ask the USDA to plant some sweetgrass….

Aquene.

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Shelve the Haters

last week, someone told me to put a particularly troublesome person on a shelf and to not give any of my energy to that person again. and I fully intend to do that – after I write this.

there are those who think that being a council member gives you the right to be not only respected but worshipped by the people. that’s not true. respect is earned, a true leader doesn’t sit around expecting people to admire them. a true leader works their ass off for the people without any expectation of a reward. a true leader puts the needs of the people first, not their own arrogant egos.

there is a council member that I do not get along with. and I mean that we do not agree on anything. however, I cannot deny that he is a leader to our people. he gives of his own time and money to keep our office open and usable. when a request is made of him, he grants it. the things he does are not always to my liking but then he doesn’t exist to please me. would I go to lunch with him? no- not likely. but I cant deny that he has the best interests of our people at heart.

regarding a different council member, should respect be given to council members who do not contribute positively to the people? who listen to and support those who would do the people harm? who brag about what they’ve have done elsewhere but can’t assist their own? who tear down what others do simply because they don’t like who is doing it?

for those who serve, such behavior is tiresome to say the least. but I doubt it will stop those who truly care from moving forward or from continuing to assist whenever possible.

that council member that I don’t get along with? part of our problem is that we don’t trust each other and because of that we will never see the other’s path. and in general, people don’t support what they can’t see. so I wont support what he does and he wont support me. and the people lose out.

so now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, I will put the energy-sucking council member on the shelf and maybe think about asking the other council member to coffee (well – I already said lunch was out!)

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Hmmm…What shall I write about?

There is so much going on in Nipmuc country right now. I can’t decide what to write about. Things are moving forward with the Museum restoration, the Museum has a new Strategic Plan that hopefully the committee will vote to accept, we are starting a new Language Class at the tribal office, ….plus some other stuff. And I am only thinking of what’s happening within the Hassanamisco Band. I have no idea what’s happening with the other Bands.

Ha! I do have a topic. Transparency. I am all for transparency within a group. I think its important for all members of a group to share and understand information so that all of us can make informed decisions. Especially when those decisions affect all members of the group.

I also believe that confidentiality is important. And in small, close-knit groups like a Band or clan, confidentiality is essential whether its family information or political discussion.

When in an effort to be “transparent”, a person betrays (yes, I feel that strongly) their Band by divulging confidential information to people outside of the group, well that person should no longer have access to confidential information. It doesn’t matter if it’s email, meeting minutes, financial records, grant info, or someone’s personal genealogy. Nor does it matter who was told.

All officer’s and employees of the Nipmuc Nation are supposed to sign confidentiality agreements. Those agreements should be honored. And even if agreements were not signed, where is your honor? Your integrity? Why violate the trust placed upon you by those who voted for you?

OK, so…enough preaching, time for a disclaimer. These comments are mine and mine alone. They are general statements and not intended to single out any one person. If someone feels like these comments may pertain to him/her, then they should search their own soul.

Aquene !

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New Beginnings

This blog is a more personal attempt at transmitting Nipmuc culture to the world. The Hassanamisco Indian Museum will continue its “Unnai” blog, relaying news from Nipmuc Country.

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Strategic Planning

The Museum has a proposed Strategic Plan that I hope will be adopted by the Museum Committee. It’s posted below the break. First, here is the Museum’s mission:

Mission Statement: To perpetuate the arts, crafts, and way of life of New England’s Indigenous Peoples; preserve the culture and history of indigenous people, particularly that of the Nipmuc Indian; and preserve and protect the unique character of the historic structure known as the Homestead and the artifacts housed within.

And Vision Statement:

Vision Statement: To serve as a focal point and gathering place for Nipmucs and their families to learn of our culture and history and to practice integrating our traditional values, technologies and wisdom into our contemporary lives.

Hassanamisco Indian Museum – Strategic Plan

To achieve its mission, attain its vision, and align with the Nipmuc Nation long-term goals, the Museum identified as its primary goal –

Preserve and perpetuate the culture and history of the Nipmuc tribe through a solid programmatic and physical foundation.

Strategy One: Renovation of the Homestead and the Museum’s organizational structure.

The Homestead will reopen with modern facilities, climate-controlled display, exhibit, and storage areas, office space, and a gathering space for tribal classes, workshops and functions. Concurrently, the Museum will build the capacity of the Museum’s board, staff and volunteers to achieve Museum’s goals

  • Complete the planning, restoration of historic portion of building, and the renovation of the modern-day addition.
  • Reorganize and strengthen the Museum’s organizational structure.
  • Achieve fiscal sustainability through sound fiscal planning and aggressive fund-raising.

Strategy Two: Preserve and conserve the Museum’s collections.

The Museum will institute formal policies to conserve the Museum’s collection. The Nipmuc Community will develop a sense of ownership and stewardship in the Museum and its collections.

  • Conserve, inventory and catalog the Museum’s collections.
  • Store and exhibit collections appropriately.

Strategy Three: Develop, promote, and implement programming for the Nipmuc community and the public.

Through the teachings of Elders and tradition-keepers, the Museum will work with the Nipmuc tribe to ensure the transference of traditional knowledge to the next generation. The Museum will continue to improve existing school, scout, and camp programs for the public.

  • Develop Tribal-based educational programs and workshops.
  • Re-invest in the Nipmuc Homelands.
  • Strengthen relationships between Museum and Nipmuc people.
  • Expand and Improve website capabilities.
  • Design and implement a comprehensive marketing program.

What do you think?

Aquene!

***Please note that the image above is from traditional Nipmuc and/or Mohegan woodsplint baskets, Credit for the image goes to “Key into the Language of Woodsplint Baskets” by Ann McMullen, Russell G. Handsman, and Joan A. Lester. Published in 1987 by American Indian Archaeological Institute.

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List of Scheduled Events in Nipmuc Country, 2012-2013

May 5th

Planting Moon/New Year Ceremony, Hassanamesit, 1 pm to 4 pm

May 5th & 6th

Nipmuc Spiritual Gathering, Hassanamesit, 4 pm to 4pm

June 16th

Strawberry Moon, Hassanamesit, 1 pm to 4 pm, Quarterly Tribal Meeting at noon

July 29th

Hassanamisco Indian Fair, Hassanamesit, 10 am to 4 pm

Sept 16th

Nipmuc Nation Annual Meeting/Election, Hassanamesit, Noon to 4 pm

Nov 24 & 25

Nipmuc Spiritual Gathering, Hassanamesit, 4 pm to 4 pm

Dec 15th

Nikkomo, Tribal Office, 1 pm to 4 pm, Quarterly meeting at noon

Mar 16th

Quarterly meeting, Tribal Office, 12 pm to 4 pm

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Working Together in Nipmuc Country in 2011

Before I start this post, let me say straight out. There is no nefarious plot to combine the bands, change the spelling of Nipmuc Nation, or overthrow the current administration. OK?

That being said, we accomplished alot in the working together column.

  • In April, the Natick Nipmuc Band presented at the Nipmuc Nation tribal office “‎2010 Deer Island Memorial Sacred Run & Paddle: Nipmuc Perspectives on the Sacred Journey.”
  • The Second Annual Joint Strawberry Moon between Nipmuc Nation and Chaubunagungamaug Band of Nipmuck Indians was held at the Nipmuc Nation Tribal Office in June.
  • Chaubunagungamaug Band members assisted during the 58th Hassanamisco Indian Fair in July on the Reservation.
  • Members of the Natick Nipmuc Band and the Chaubunagungamaug Band as well as many other Nipmuks were in attendance at the Fair.
  • The first Nipmuk meeting was held in August at Westville Lake in Sturbridge. The Nipmuk meetings are intended to promote cooperation between band members and those Nipmuks not enrolled in a band in the hope of building our futures together.
  • Members of the Nipmuc Nation assisted at the Chaubunagungamaug Band’s September Pau Wau at Holland Pond.
  • The September Pau Wau was well attended by Natick Nipmucs, Hassanamiscos and other Nipmuks. Honestly, one of the best pau waus I’ve ever attended.
  • Natick Nipmuc Youth leader actively led Hassanamisco youth on paddles, to conferences, summer camp and other activities.
  • The three Nipmuk bands joined forces on a state-government issue.
  • Natick Nipmucs and Hassanamisco Nipmucs jointly attended the first Youth Paddle at Lake Quiusigamond.
  • Nipmuks from everywhere attended or assisted at the Natick Nipmuc 2011 Deer Island Memorial.
  • The first (in many years) Nipmuc Spiritual Gathering was held on the reservation over two days in November. Nipmuks from everywhere actively participated.
  • Members of Natick Nipmuc and Nipmuc Nation jointly presented Nipmuk history in Littleton, MA.
  • All Nipmuks freely attended the various socials hosted by Hassanamisco and Chaubunagungamaug including Strawberry Moon, Nikkomo, and Harvest Moon.

So this is a beginning.

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Not Quite the New Year

At 12:00 am this morning, my grandsons and I blew into our noise-makers and jumped up and down. We had a party in my living room to welcome the year 2012. I rushed them outside to try and catch the firework display with our binoculars and telescopes but there didn’t seem to be one. We came back in, ate some more, drank some more, called and sent text messages to our loved ones. They finally settled down just before 2 am and to sleep we all went.

And so goes our calendar New Year celebration every year. But for us, the real beginning of the year comes when the seasons shift, the air warms, and green begins to return to our yard.

New Year in Nipmuc Country begins with Spring planting time. The exact date varies from year to year. The Nipmuc Nation will celebrate the New Year at our Planting Moon celebration on Saturday, May 5th at Hassanamesit. Won’t you join us?

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Tribal Tribulations (Part 1)

The call came while Lydia flipped her grandchildren’s pancakes. Lydia glanced at the call ID and frowned as she looked at her treaty husband’s number. “Hello?”, “Oh, it’s you, Oakes. How are you?” She continued the frown while listening and plating the kids’ supper. “Uh huh, well, what makes you think I can do anything about it? Can you hold on, please?” Lydia called her grandbabies to eat and poured their drinks and maple syrup, taking her time returning to the phone. “I’m sorry, Oakes. I just don’t get why you’re calling me.” Lydia listened once more, rolled her eyes and replied “Ok, Ok. I’ll take a drive out tomorrow. See you then.”

Oakes Gardner and Lydia Printer were married a few months earlier, as the finalization of a treaty between Oakes’ federally-recognized tribe and Lydia’s state-recognized one. Oakes’ tribe wanted to open a casino but had no land. Lydia’s tribe had a 5000-acre forest but neither the money nor the authority to do much with it. The treaty enabled both groups to develop economic opportunities for their people. The Elders of both communities thought it best to seal the deal with a marriage between the tribes, to both mimic and honor what the ancestors would have done. To lessen any potential complications in the modern world, it was decided that the treaty bride and groom would be middle-aged, divorced or widowed, with grown children and self-supporting. Lydia and Oakes, both twice married and divorced, fit the criteria.

Lydia rose early the next day, fed the cats, left a message for her co-worker at the tribe’s cultural center and climbed into her jeep. During the two hour ride to Oakes’ house, she considered what he had told her the night before. Papers were missing from his tribe’s archive and not just any papers. Missing were detailed financial records from a previous administration. The papers had been ordered sealed to protect the tribe from unpleasant repercussions. Over the years, Lydia had developed a reputation for unraveling unusual situations. Oakes had helped her recently when a valuable artifact went missing from her tribe’s museum and now apparently thought they were some sort of detective team.

Nearly two hours to the minute, Lydia cursed as she realized she was lost. She had been to Oakes’ house once before and wrongly thought she remembered the way. The road to the tribal office was just ahead so she turned there instead and pulled into the parking lot of the tribe’s new health clinic. Oakes picked up on the first ring, “Where are you?” “At the health clinic since I forgot the way to your house.” Time skipped a beat or two before Oakes answered that he was on his way and hung up. Less than 15 minutes later, he pulled into the lot next to Lydia. He hopped out of the car and looked at her expectantly. Ignoring his look, she sighed “Ok, so, what’s going on and how can I help?”

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