ABOUT US
Mission: The mission of the Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers Is to preserve and carry Northeastern Woodlands social songs and dances. To cultivate, nurture, and pass on these traditions to Wampanoag tribal youth and community; to ensure these songs continue to be used for social gatherings, ceremony and celebration for generations to come.
Vision: The Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers sees the active erasure of Wampanoag people in the Northeast, especially on Wampanoag lands. We combat this erasure by infiltrating all domains with our songs and dances to engage, embolden and inspire awareness of our historical and present day existence for audiences of all backgrounds.
Mandate/Values: The Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers embody the values of Wampanoag identity, culture and cosmology by carrying these values to the younger generation through Northeastern Woodlands songs and dances. We see the importance of these values for the lives of tribal youth and the Indigenous and non Indigenous communities they move through, in the world.
AN ORIGIN STORY
During the 1970’s members of the original Wakeby Lake Singers based in Mashpee, MA – Earl Mills Jr, Marten Bruzzy Hendricks, Darrel Wixon, Hayna Greendeer, Bryan Miles, Gkisedtanamoogk, Nanepashamet Tony Pollard, and Russell Peters traveled throughout the northeast, singing at powwows. Nosapocket Ramona Peters, Alice Lopez, Vickie Costa Wakanabo and Carrol Lang were often the female voices singing behind the men at the drum. This is a western Native style drum group with songs originating from across the northern border and mostly west of the Mississippi.
By the beginning of the 1980’s, several members of the group expressed the desire to also focus on eastern songs and soon formed the Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers. Founding members are Nosapocket Ramona Peters, Nanepashemet Tony Pollard, Alice Lopez and Darryl Wixon. Eastern social dance songs are sung with a water drum and rattles. Over the last forty plus years, the group has seen many dedicated members -- Nancy Eldridge (Smiling Dove), Earl Cash Jr., Linda Coombs, Jonathan Perry, Elizabeth Perry, Tobias Vanderhoop, Danielle Hill Greendeer, Melanie Roderick, Philip Wynne, and Nitana Hicks-Greendeer.
Current members include: Tumunk Jim Peters, Nanaweetah Gertrude Kitty Hendricks-Miller, Smiling Wind Carol Wynne, Neesweekôkôtywak Troy Currence, Michelle St. John, Keesuty8ee Elm Siobhan Brown, Monomoscoy Asa Peters, Hartman Deetz, Annawon Weeden, Attaquin Weeden, Talia Landry, Dasia Peters and Sassamin Weeden.
All of the songs we share express our relationship with the natural world -- how we are all connected to the earth, the sky, the water, the plants, animals and insects. Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers share a family friendly experience that provides a deep opportunity for audiences to learn while listening and joining us in movement. We trust that you will walk away with an understanding of how you can continue to honor these elements and remember that after 12,000 years, we are still here.
Mission: The mission of the Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers Is to preserve and carry Northeastern Woodlands social songs and dances. To cultivate, nurture, and pass on these traditions to Wampanoag tribal youth and community; to ensure these songs continue to be used for social gatherings, ceremony and celebration for generations to come.
Vision: The Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers sees the active erasure of Wampanoag people in the Northeast, especially on Wampanoag lands. We combat this erasure by infiltrating all domains with our songs and dances to engage, embolden and inspire awareness of our historical and present day existence for audiences of all backgrounds.
Mandate/Values: The Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers embody the values of Wampanoag identity, culture and cosmology by carrying these values to the younger generation through Northeastern Woodlands songs and dances. We see the importance of these values for the lives of tribal youth and the Indigenous and non Indigenous communities they move through, in the world.
AN ORIGIN STORY
During the 1970’s members of the original Wakeby Lake Singers based in Mashpee, MA – Earl Mills Jr, Marten Bruzzy Hendricks, Darrel Wixon, Hayna Greendeer, Bryan Miles, Gkisedtanamoogk, Nanepashamet Tony Pollard, and Russell Peters traveled throughout the northeast, singing at powwows. Nosapocket Ramona Peters, Alice Lopez, Vickie Costa Wakanabo and Carrol Lang were often the female voices singing behind the men at the drum. This is a western Native style drum group with songs originating from across the northern border and mostly west of the Mississippi.
By the beginning of the 1980’s, several members of the group expressed the desire to also focus on eastern songs and soon formed the Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers. Founding members are Nosapocket Ramona Peters, Nanepashemet Tony Pollard, Alice Lopez and Darryl Wixon. Eastern social dance songs are sung with a water drum and rattles. Over the last forty plus years, the group has seen many dedicated members -- Nancy Eldridge (Smiling Dove), Earl Cash Jr., Linda Coombs, Jonathan Perry, Elizabeth Perry, Tobias Vanderhoop, Danielle Hill Greendeer, Melanie Roderick, Philip Wynne, and Nitana Hicks-Greendeer.
Current members include: Tumunk Jim Peters, Nanaweetah Gertrude Kitty Hendricks-Miller, Smiling Wind Carol Wynne, Neesweekôkôtywak Troy Currence, Michelle St. John, Keesuty8ee Elm Siobhan Brown, Monomoscoy Asa Peters, Hartman Deetz, Annawon Weeden, Attaquin Weeden, Talia Landry, Dasia Peters and Sassamin Weeden.
All of the songs we share express our relationship with the natural world -- how we are all connected to the earth, the sky, the water, the plants, animals and insects. Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers share a family friendly experience that provides a deep opportunity for audiences to learn while listening and joining us in movement. We trust that you will walk away with an understanding of how you can continue to honor these elements and remember that after 12,000 years, we are still here.
Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers is a non-profit 501c3 - EIN - 99-1397402
Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers serves as a fiscal sponsor for Nutahkeemun Artist Collective
and other Wampanoag led arts projects.
Your donations are tax deductible!
If you would like to donate by check - please send to:
Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers
PO Box 305
Mashpee, MA 02649
Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers serves as a fiscal sponsor for Nutahkeemun Artist Collective
and other Wampanoag led arts projects.
Your donations are tax deductible!
If you would like to donate by check - please send to:
Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers
PO Box 305
Mashpee, MA 02649
