Creator, Great Spirit, Dear Lord Jesus.

In 1975, the Mashpee Wampanoag in the Town of Mashpee on Cape Cod first approached the government about becoming eligible for federal acknowledgement as an Indian Tribe. Since then we have watched many sunsets and sunrises with hopes of hearing something positive.

On March 31, 2006, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs phoned the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council around 4 PM, informing us of the preliminary determination of Tribal status, that we exist as an Indian Tribe by federal law. That day, our chief, Silent Drum “Bunny” Lopez said, “Our freedom has been a long time coming. This supports what we have been saying all along: that we are the Mashpee Wampanoag. The advantages will be for our children.” Tribal members were elated

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