DAY FOUR: SANDWICH AND A POW WOW

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Finally, it's opening day of the Pow Wow! But as fate plays out, I find a Cape Cod tourism guide that is promoting a visit to Sandwich, MA, the first town to be chartered in the new colony... I know what you're thinking... Why would a native person find this interesting? Well.... I appreciate history, regardless of where the story begins, BUT most importantly, Sandwich has a grist mill and they sell freshly ground cornmeal. I was salivating at the thought of freshly ground corn and the sofkee we could be making! For those non-Seminoles, sofkee is a traditional Seminole drink made from various grains. It is an acquired taste for those not raised drinking it... like me - I could drink it by the gallons when I was little!
So it was off to Sandwich first thing in the morning and then to the Pow Wow! Sandwich was awesome! We visited the "Hoxie House" Sandwich's oldest house. We arrived a few minutes before opening and the kids helped the tour guides open the house and stage some props! We paid our admission ($5 for a combo ticket that included a tour of the house and of Dexter Grist Mill) and met our tour guide, Mary, who is 86 years old and a retired school teacher who is recovering from a massive heart attack.  Her stories were so interesting that the kids paid attention the entire time.
Once we left the house, we went to the mill and found it interesting that the fact native people introduced corn to the colonists/pilgrims that their story about corn didn't start with the native contribution. In fact, when the guide figured out I was native he began to discuss how "Mexicans" introduced corn to "Native Americans" and so it would be incorrect to say that native people introduced corn! Whatevz!

As we were walking around downtown Sandwich we found a church rummage sale, and a downtown craft fair at the Public Library! We met an awesome woman who makes jewelry, Alissa! We also ran into my new friends from Pittsburgh!!! Yup, I forgot to tell you we ran into them as we were walking around downtown Oak Bluffs yesterday and then we ended up on the same ferry back! So here we are once again, running into my newfound amigos!

Anyway, we traversed back to the Pow Wow and man it was packed. We decided to park in satellite parking which worked out great because the shuttle picks you up at your car and drops you off at front gate. No charge... Loved it. I couldn't believe the amount of people who were drawn to the pow wow. Chairman Cedric Cromwell also served as master of ceremonies and made sure that all those in attendance had a great time while they learned about what they were watching. The craft vendors were so busy it was hard to get to their tables.  We ran into Shinnecock tribal leader, Lance Gumbs and Narragansett leader, Hiawatha Brown... Two of my USET buddies! Oh and I have to mention the food! I was so impressed that there were so many food vendors serving indigenous foods! Snapping turtle stew, quahog, quail, clams, and a rice dish called jag! Yummmmm!!!! We were in heaven.
Our evening was spent at Mashpee's Casa de Harding for a bbq. We met Wampanoag's friends from Bermuda as we ate grilled chicken and salad. What a wonderful evening.... I love Mashpee!