Parent Institution Name
Address
483 Great Neck Rd. South, Mashpee, MA 02649
Supervisor Email
Project Details
Project Summary:
Title: Promises Broken, Sacrifices Made - Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's Reflections of the 250th Revolutionary War Anniversary Initiative
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's Historic Preservation Department (THPD) is embarking on a significant initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War from the Tribe's unique perspective. This initiative aims to shed light on the Tribe's role in the war, its contributions to the establishment of the country, and the ongoing challenges faced by indigenous people. By leveraging partnerships with the local Institutions and supported by state funding, the Tribe seeks to develop a comprehensive and impactful program that includes short-term events and long-term exhibit developments. This project is supported by generous funding from the Mass Cultural Council and the Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB).
Project Objectives
Historical Research Review and Exhibit Development:
Review and assess compiled research materials to contemplate and discuss the Tribe's involvement in the Revolutionary War. This preliminary work will frame the communal conversations that will inform other aspects of this project in an effort to better understand the tribe’s collective reasoning to support the colonists, understanding that the King of England had recently demanded that the Colony afford the Marshpee District self-governance in 1763. Through this project, we will discover the sacrifices made by the Mashpee Wampanoag individuals’ service in the war, and assess the communal effects on our families. The goal is to develop a comprehensive narrative that investigates the impacts upon the Tribe through the development of a museum exhibit, geo-referenced mapping, and educational materials.
1. Future Goals Informed by Research Project:
• Explore Gender and Family Impacts: Explore and share the impact of men's service in the Revolutionary War on tribal women, families, and the broader Mashpee Wampanoag community.
o Highlight the experiences and contributions of women during this period.
• Develop storytelling Aids: Utilize a combination of physical panels and digital exhibits to convey the Tribe's narrative effectively.
o Incorporate multimedia elements, artifacts, documents, and personal stories to engage both Tribal members and the wider public.
• Educational Outreach: Develop programming and events to educate both the Tribe's youth and the general public about the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's history, culture, and contributions.
o The educational piece aims to highlight the Tribe's unique legacy and the challenges of navigating historic oppression and adversity.
2. Project Developments: We have already obtained grant opportunities and have been awarded funding for this initiative, and its various components, including research, programming, exhibit development, and educational outreach.
3. Comprehensive Strategic Plan:
Phase 1: Internship and Community Engagement (1st quarter 2026)
a) Assemble a research team consisting of a Tribal Archivist, historians, and interns.
b) Recruit interns seeking field placement experience to assist the Tribal Archivist with research and exhibit development.
c) Provide interns with mentorship, training, and hands-on experience in historical research, curation, and programming.
d) Identify primary and secondary sources related to the Tribe's involvement in the Revolutionary War.
Phase 2: Research and Narrative Development (2nd quarter 2026)
a) Review identified primary and secondary sources relating to our Tribe's involvement in the Revolutionary War.
b) Assess, evaluate, and recommend Revolutionary War narratives for consideration.
c) Conduct interviews with Tribal elders and descendants to gather oral history and personal accounts relative to identified materials.
d) Refine a comprehensive narrative that reflects upon the contemplations and what conclusions may have necessitated the Tribe's support of the colonists, compile service record documents to inform GIS mapping, entangle sacrifices made, and illustrate the subsequent challenges faced.
e) Generate geo-referenced mapping that depicts where our Wampanoag Veterans Service took them and or where they remain.
Phase 2: Exhibit Development and Programming (3rd quarter 2026)
a) Collaborate with historians, curators, and exhibit designers to create physical and digital exhibits.
b) Design interactive displays that incorporate multimedia elements, artifacts, and personal stories.
c) Develop educational programming, workshops, and events to engage both Tribal members and the public.
d) Establish partnerships with local schools to integrate the initiative into their curriculum.
Phase 3: Grant Completion (4th quarter 2026)
a) Finalize Grant outcomes
b) Organize community engagement sessions to gather feedback, insights, and additional historical resources from Tribal members.
Phase 5: Execution and Evaluation (1st quarter 2027)
a) Launch the short-term programming and exhibits to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War.
b) Monitor attendance, engagement, and participant feedback during events and exhibitions.
c) Assess the impact of the initiative on Tribal members' understanding of their history and on public perception.
Our Historic Preservation Department plan will effectively commemorate the Tribe's contributions to the Revolutionary War and shed light on our ongoing journey towards social justice, autonomy and equal rights. Through Institutional collaboration, we will evaluate the necessary material collections to properly inform and develop educational materials, storytelling aids, geo-referenced mapping, and broadly inform a museum exhibit that provides historical insight into our shared Tribal communal history.
This research will also help inform and educate the broader public about the sacrifices our community has made in the pursuit of equality, freedom, and civil liberties. It will encourage meaningful conversations within our community that highlight the values many Americans benefit from today—and the rights Native peoples continue to defend.
Title: Promises Broken, Sacrifices Made - Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's Reflections of the 250th Revolutionary War Anniversary Initiative
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's Historic Preservation Department (THPD) is embarking on a significant initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War from the Tribe's unique perspective. This initiative aims to shed light on the Tribe's role in the war, its contributions to the establishment of the country, and the ongoing challenges faced by indigenous people. By leveraging partnerships with the local Institutions and supported by state funding, the Tribe seeks to develop a comprehensive and impactful program that includes short-term events and long-term exhibit developments. This project is supported by generous funding from the Mass Cultural Council and the Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB).
Project Objectives
Historical Research Review and Exhibit Development:
Review and assess compiled research materials to contemplate and discuss the Tribe's involvement in the Revolutionary War. This preliminary work will frame the communal conversations that will inform other aspects of this project in an effort to better understand the tribe’s collective reasoning to support the colonists, understanding that the King of England had recently demanded that the Colony afford the Marshpee District self-governance in 1763. Through this project, we will discover the sacrifices made by the Mashpee Wampanoag individuals’ service in the war, and assess the communal effects on our families. The goal is to develop a comprehensive narrative that investigates the impacts upon the Tribe through the development of a museum exhibit, geo-referenced mapping, and educational materials.
1. Future Goals Informed by Research Project:
• Explore Gender and Family Impacts: Explore and share the impact of men's service in the Revolutionary War on tribal women, families, and the broader Mashpee Wampanoag community.
o Highlight the experiences and contributions of women during this period.
• Develop storytelling Aids: Utilize a combination of physical panels and digital exhibits to convey the Tribe's narrative effectively.
o Incorporate multimedia elements, artifacts, documents, and personal stories to engage both Tribal members and the wider public.
• Educational Outreach: Develop programming and events to educate both the Tribe's youth and the general public about the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's history, culture, and contributions.
o The educational piece aims to highlight the Tribe's unique legacy and the challenges of navigating historic oppression and adversity.
2. Project Developments: We have already obtained grant opportunities and have been awarded funding for this initiative, and its various components, including research, programming, exhibit development, and educational outreach.
3. Comprehensive Strategic Plan:
Phase 1: Internship and Community Engagement (1st quarter 2026)
a) Assemble a research team consisting of a Tribal Archivist, historians, and interns.
b) Recruit interns seeking field placement experience to assist the Tribal Archivist with research and exhibit development.
c) Provide interns with mentorship, training, and hands-on experience in historical research, curation, and programming.
d) Identify primary and secondary sources related to the Tribe's involvement in the Revolutionary War.
Phase 2: Research and Narrative Development (2nd quarter 2026)
a) Review identified primary and secondary sources relating to our Tribe's involvement in the Revolutionary War.
b) Assess, evaluate, and recommend Revolutionary War narratives for consideration.
c) Conduct interviews with Tribal elders and descendants to gather oral history and personal accounts relative to identified materials.
d) Refine a comprehensive narrative that reflects upon the contemplations and what conclusions may have necessitated the Tribe's support of the colonists, compile service record documents to inform GIS mapping, entangle sacrifices made, and illustrate the subsequent challenges faced.
e) Generate geo-referenced mapping that depicts where our Wampanoag Veterans Service took them and or where they remain.
Phase 2: Exhibit Development and Programming (3rd quarter 2026)
a) Collaborate with historians, curators, and exhibit designers to create physical and digital exhibits.
b) Design interactive displays that incorporate multimedia elements, artifacts, and personal stories.
c) Develop educational programming, workshops, and events to engage both Tribal members and the public.
d) Establish partnerships with local schools to integrate the initiative into their curriculum.
Phase 3: Grant Completion (4th quarter 2026)
a) Finalize Grant outcomes
b) Organize community engagement sessions to gather feedback, insights, and additional historical resources from Tribal members.
Phase 5: Execution and Evaluation (1st quarter 2027)
a) Launch the short-term programming and exhibits to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War.
b) Monitor attendance, engagement, and participant feedback during events and exhibitions.
c) Assess the impact of the initiative on Tribal members' understanding of their history and on public perception.
Our Historic Preservation Department plan will effectively commemorate the Tribe's contributions to the Revolutionary War and shed light on our ongoing journey towards social justice, autonomy and equal rights. Through Institutional collaboration, we will evaluate the necessary material collections to properly inform and develop educational materials, storytelling aids, geo-referenced mapping, and broadly inform a museum exhibit that provides historical insight into our shared Tribal communal history.
This research will also help inform and educate the broader public about the sacrifices our community has made in the pursuit of equality, freedom, and civil liberties. It will encourage meaningful conversations within our community that highlight the values many Americans benefit from today—and the rights Native peoples continue to defend.
Are you willing to complete two evaluations of your students progress through out the course of the semester?
Yes
Requirements
CORI Checks may be required to obtain a Tribal pass to use when entering the Community and Government building, be able to work collaboratively with others in a team setting, have their own transportation (active driver's license), and have or obtain credentials to access research facilities. We are looking for self-motivated individuals who require minimal direction and oversight, ideally.
Supervisor Phone
1774327006
How many positions do you have available?
2
Supervisor Name
David Weeden
Course Option
LIS 512
Semester
Spring 2026
Department
Tribal Historic Preservation - Archives
State
MA
Availability
We are open typically Monday through Friday 8:30-4:30 throughout the year, except where holidays fall. We work out of the Tribal Community and Government Center and prefer in-person work; although research at external institutions is valued on this project, so we are flexible. This can be discussed when developing a schedule towards completion.