Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Hosts Unity Breakfast at State House

BOSTON – The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe hosted a Thanksgiving breakfast Monday at the State House aimed at promoting peace and unity.

The Thanksgiving Unity Reception coincided with the state’s Native American Awareness Month. The Tribe’s ancestors held the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims in 1621.

“Our ancestors taught the Pilgrims how to survive and farm this land. It was our visionary leaders who formed an alliance with the Pilgrims,” said Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council Chairman Cedric Cromwell. “The very first Thanksgiving was a Wampanoag feast joined by the Pilgrims to celebrate a successful fall harvest.”

“That feast provided us with an enduring lesson of what can come from people of different backgrounds sitting down together and really listening to each other. It’s time for us all as Americans to get back to that basic principle,” Cromwell said. “We want to encourage everyone to recommit to the positive dialogue and alliance that began right here with our ancestors nearly 400 years ago.”

As part of his keynote speech, Cromwell called on citizens to promote unity around the upcoming holiday. 

“We’re gathered here today to unite around first principles, symbolized by the first Thanksgiving. As we search for ways to be great, something we all want, let’s remember it cannot be achieved without inclusion,” Cromwell said.

“It starts first with a willingness to break bread together, with a heart for deep listening, sharing a common meal, in the pursuit of true commonwealth,” Cromwell added.

As part of the ceremony, a Wampanoag Tribal flag was presented to State Auditor Suzanne Bump. Falmouth State Rep. David Vieira was also in attendance.

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