Happy Golden Anniversary Spocott!

On April 23, 2022, the Nause-Waiwash had the opportunity to join in the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Spocott Windmill in Dorchester County, MD.

Step back to the 1800s at Spocott Windmill & Village, located a few miles west of Cambridge, Maryland. The site features Maryland’s only post-style windmill (notable for the way the entire structure can be rotated into the wind) and buildings from the 1800s including a one-room schoolhouse, country store, small home, and doctor’s office.
There has been a succession of windmills at this location dating to the 1700s. A similar working windmill stood near the site until it was knocked down by the blizzard of 1888. This replica, built in 1972 by noted boat builder Jim Richardson (namesake of the Richardson Maritime Museum in Cambridge), contains the original grinding stones and interior steps. The exterior steps provide a glimpse of nearby Gary Creek.

The Creator blessed us with perfect weather. The people were friendly and welcoming. Thank you, Spocott Windmill Foundation.

Earth Day 2022

Mother Earth, our source of life. We give thanks for all we have. Food, water, air and shelter. All who are brothers and sisters we ask we always remain interconnected in the web of life. We ask for strength to defend our Mother Earth when she is in need.  We promise to always walk softly upon your face for underneath our feet are the roots of trees, flowers and grass. Thank you Mother Earth.

Fun Facts about Earth Day:

• Senator Gaylord Nelson conceived Earth Day in the early 1960s. 

• The first Earth Day was in 1970.

• The government responded to Earth Day with environmental legislation. 

• Earth Day went global in 1990. 

• About one billion people recognize Earth Day each year. 

• Earth Day always falls on April 22.

• It’s known as “International Mother Earth Day” around the world. 

• Worldwide initiatives have benefited the environment. 

• This year marks the 52nd anniversary.

Ways you can participate in Earth Day:

• Recycle plastic bags. Most businesses, such as Food Lion, Walmart and Target gladly received single use shopping bags. Most of the time there is a receptacle to deposit them as you enter the store.

• Plant a tree. Many municipalities give out saplings on Arbor Day.

• Ride your bike. Minimize air pollution.

• Minimize your use of pesticides.

• Do not throw trash out on the ground or in our waterways. This is detrimental to our wildlife and the environment. If you see trash laying on the ground, pick it up and dispose of it properly.

• Upcycle wood pallets. They can be used as garden boxes and can even be transformed into furniture.  

Make Every Day Earth Day!

State of the Tribe 2021

Greetings All!
We hope everyone is still managing to navigate through this global pandemic. We realize it has been a trying time for everyone. However, with the development of vaccines, there is light at the end of the tunnel. We trust everyone will do what’s best for themselves and their families. In spite of the global panic, the Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians, Inc. are still making every effort to move forward in the growing progress of our community. There is much to update you on. Let’s start with the long house.

As many of you know, we were able to get a new roof installed right before the pandemic shut everything down. Thank you Knox Builders and Tiger Roofing. The grandfather of Oak trees that was standing so majestic in front of the long house has been removed. It was not dead but was dying. We didn’t want to take any chances of it falling on the long house and the new roof. Thank you, Eastern Tree Service. Knox Builders is currently working on composing an estimate for new windows. Though the original windows are satisfactory, new ones will be a lot less maintenance. Every building has some degree of maintenance to contend with, we are trying to get the long house so there is as little maintenance as possible. It’s been a slow process, but rewarding to watch it come together.

On to the pictorial book. Yes, it’s going to happen. We are currently working on our pictorial history and with a little praying, we will have them available for sale at our festival in September 2021.

Speaking of festival, YES! We are moving forward with the planning of our 29th Annual Native American Festival. It is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, September 18 & 19, 2021. Our location is 214 Middle Street, Vienna, MD 21869 at the ball field, under the Water Tower. Thank you Mayor MacFarlane, Vienna Town Commissioners and the town of Vienna. Their hospitality has been most gracious and we are excited to be returning close to our ancestral grounds. So far we have confirmed two drum groups. NaMaWoCHi Drummers and Medicine Horse Drummers and Singers. Spot the Leopard Appaloosa and his girlfriend Pixie Styx will be in attendance. We are excited to have for the first time, special attraction Falconer Eric Werner from Tilghman Island with his Red-Tailed Hawk. Though falconry is not an indigenous sport, our indigenous people hold a high regard to the Red-Tailed Hawk. Welcome, Mr. Werner. Returning this year as our Master of Ceremonies is Bruce McWilliams. We will also continue with a silent auction and a bake table. This year’s event is by no means limited to the content of this letter. There is still a lot in the works and a lot to be confirmed. Beware, there will be some changes. Check out our Facebook page and our website often for updates.

Our social media platforms are growing with leaps and bounds. Thank you Gentle Bear for sharing your computer skills and maintaining our sites.


Our web address is https://www.turtletracks.org
Our new email address is nausewaiwash@gmail.com


If you continue to use Wolf Mother’s personal email, you will still get a response. However, we would appreciate a smooth transition to the new email. Thank you. All our social media platforms are @TheNWBI. We are having another give-away once we reach 1500 followers on Face book. We will be holding a random drawing to give away a queen size plush blanket to the lucky winner. Hint: It will be soon. We’re extremely close. Update: Congratulations! Marina Feeser of Salisbury, MD.

Sadly, the NWBI lost the opportunity to use the training room at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake to hold our in-person meetings. We have arranged to hold our meetings at the Cambridge Elks Lodge 1272 in Cambridge. Thank you, Cambridge Elks Lodge 1272 for your hospitality and Eva Bartrum for facilitating this arrangement.

Casey Hughes has volunteered to take on some of the secretarial responsibilities of the tribe. She will be responding to telephone messages and taking the minutes at the meetings. Thank you, Casey.

Thank you to everyone for your continued dedication and support. It is very much appreciated. We look forward to working together and continuing to move the tribe forward.


Pleasant journeys – Chief Wolf Mother

June Trivia Question

It’s time for our first trivia question!

“What four animals are found on the Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians Seal that was created by Kirk F. Turner, Red Deer?”

Message us on Facebook with your answer.

*Please message us on Facebook with your answer. Public answers will not be counted.
*The answer to the trivia question can be found on our Facebook page, and we ask that everyone please be respectful and not use other sources to find your answers (as they may be incorrect.)
*Those who answer correctly will be entered in a drawing for a random prize to be drawn on July 1st.

29th Annual Native American Festival

Many of you will be excited to hear that we are planning to move forward with our 29th annual festival. The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 18th from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and Sunday, September 19th from 10:00am to 4:00pm. This year we kindly ask that if you are able to wear a mask and social distance that you please do so. We understand people have health conditions prohibiting them from comfortably breathing with a mask; that being said, we would like to keep our event as safe as possible for everyone to enjoy. Please follow us on social media @TheNWBI for upcoming details.

28th Annual Native American Festival — COVID-19 Update

In spite of the global pandemic, the Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians are moving forward in the planning of our 28th Annual Native American Festival. We realize no one can predict what will be happening in September, however, it is easier to cancel the event at the last minute than it is to plan it at the last minute; as it takes a lot of planning to host an event such as this. We are praying we will not be canceling.
The NWBI is in search of quality vendors. However, there is a certain criteria we are looking for. We are looking for vendors who have quality wares. Vendors who are honest and have good retail ethics. We are looking for items that are related to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Delmarva, Eastern Woodland Indians, Native American, Nature, Natural, Earthy or Indigenous. We are also looking for demonstrators and exhibitors that meet the same criteria. HOWEVER, space is limited and we are looking for a variety of people so we will not be allowing multiple vendors to vend the same merchandise. If you are a vendor, demonstrator or exhibitor and you think you would be a good fit for our event, please reach out. I would love to chat with you. My email is: nausewaiwash@gmail.com. As always,, our festival is scheduled for the 2nd weekend after Labor Day. This year is our 28th year and is September 19th & 20th.
For the last 5 years we have tried very hard to accommodate everyone involved with our festival and meet their needs and wants. That hasn’t worked so well for the tribe. The Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians and this festival are my priorities. As the old saying goes, “you can not please everyone.” With that said, I want to make everyone aware, we are going through a major re-structuring of our event. These changes have been discussed in length and the Council have made many difficult decisions. Please be respectful of these decisions.

As always, the following has not changed:
There is no admission fee for head staff, vendors,
exhibitors, demonstrators
and volunteers.
The grounds and event are handicap friendly.
No animals/pets allowed.
Service animals are welcome.
No drugs, alcohol or attitudes
No electricity available.
Vendors, demonstrators, exhibitors are responsible
for their own tent, table and
chairs.
Vend Spaces are 20′ X 20′
We are in need of volunteers
We are in need of baked goods that meet the
DCHD requirements.

Please note, the following are changes that will be implemented in 2020. Changes may not be limited to what is published in this PSA and are subject to change.
Our admission fee for visitors and guests has increased
to $7 per person.
The age for free admission has been lowered to age 4
years and under.
We have new head staff and music groups lined up.
New food vendor is in place.
There will be no catered meal for vendors and head staff
after the close of Saturday’s event. Instead, there will
be homemade soups and cold cut sandwiches
available at the festival grounds.
The Security team is in place for additional nights.
Security will not be used for any other purpose other
than what is intended.
Silent auction changes
Changes to our beverages
Once a vendor has been assigned to a space on the
field, there will be no changes.
There is a reason for this. If you have special needs, we
will try to accommodate them. However, we need to
know this 2 weeks before the event.
Live auction changes.

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation and understanding. I look forward to hearing from any potential vendors, demonstrators, exhibitors and volunteers. Pleasant journeys.

Chief Donna Abbott and the
Council of the Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians, Inc.
nausewaiwash@gmail.com
410-228-0216 (leave message)

27th Annual Native American Festival Live/Silent Auction Items

Be sure to check back often as we are continually updating our list of auction items.

Live Auction Items:

Model Boat

Image 1 of 5

*Live Auction Item* Hand-made model work boat Crafted by triabl elder Lee Hughes Value: $150

  • Hand-made model work boat
  • Greenwing teal decoy
  • “Visions of the First Americans”
  • Pendleton “White Sands” Blanket
  • Women’s Ribbon Dress

Silent Auction Items:

  • Books
  • Snake head fishing gift box
  • Shawl material
  • Overnight bag
  • Pamper chef casserole baking dish
Plus Gift Certificates to:
  • Island Creamery
  • Chili’s
  • Old Salty’s
  • Texas Roadhouse
  • Cheesecake Factory
  • Blackwater Adventures
  • Olive Garden
  • Cabot
  • Applebee’s
  • Medieval Times
  • Fisherman’s Inn
  • Layton’s Chance

State of the Tribe, 2019

Aho!
I hope this update finds everyone happy, healthy and safe. I have had several people inquire about Turtle Tracks. I am flattered our publication means so much too so many people. Thank you. That warms my heart. My apologies to each and every one of you for not providing it to you. I have been extremely busy and that was one of the things I let slide. My intention is to bring Turtle Tracks back. I cannot promise when. Our festival planning is in full swing right now. So I know it will not happen before festival. However, I would like to share with you some of the goings-on with the tribe. We have had a lot of exciting things happening.


We hold our tribal meetings every other Thursday. The Hyatt Regency-Chesapeake, Cambridge, MD has been most gracious in allowing us to use a training room to hold our meetings. Thank you Hyatt and Holly for facilitating this arrangement. Our meetings start promptly at 6:30 P.M. Our meetings are open to the public and any tribe member. They are not exclusively “Council” meetings. If there is anything that is restricted to the council only, a closed session will be called to order at the end of the regular meeting or at a later date. Everyone is welcome and we hope to see you soon. Attached is a copy of our meeting schedule.


In June 2018, the long house was listed on the National Registry of Historic Landmarks. Dr. Jeff Kirwan prepared the application. He invested a lot of time and hard work. There were interviews conducted, phone calls made, and lots of research, effort and patience. But it happened. Thank you, Jeff. The long house is now on the Historic Registry at the state and national levels. How exciting and what an accomplishment!


A grant writer from Fruitland, MD has graciously helped us get funding. We are just over our halfway mark in our fundraising for a new roof on the long house. Thank you, Mann & Mann Grant Writing Services. So, let me back track a bit here. We are having electricity installed in the long house. The electricity was two-thirds complete when it was discovered a rotten spot of wood on the Greenbrier side of the building. The rotten spot was caused by a leaky roof. Once the roof is replaced, the rotten wood will be replaced and the installation of electricity will be completed. From that we will move forward with other things. So far, all our money has come from private donations. Though there is plenty of grant money available, we would like to keep everything private. Once government money is used, there will be guidelines to follow. Right now, since there is no mortgage and our donations have been private, we can do whatever we want to the building. I like that idea.


The tribe had an election for a new council in 2018. Let me introduce you to your new council. Your Vice-chairman is Jerry “Gentle Bear” Hughes. Your Secretary is Katie “Dancing Dove” Lipsius. Other councilmen/women are; Elder Windsor “Walks With Out Sound” Meyer, Elder Steve “Morning Crow” Abbott, Eva “White Raven” Bartrum, Brenda “Morning Marsh Woman” Abbott. Your new council has lots of great ideas and seem determined to follow through with them. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see your tribe do or be, please stop by a meeting and share your thoughts and ideas. We would love to hear them. 


The Nause-Waiwash is on social media. Your social media administrator is Jerry “Gentle Bear” Hughes. We are on Face book, Instagram and Twitter. Just search @TheNWBI on either platform. Jerry has done a phenomenal job with our social media. We have had inquiries from people wanting to know who maintains our social media pages. Doctors, administrators and executives are wanting to know who maintains our pages. Gentle Bear has even had a job offer to this. I am proud of him and his work and feel we are very lucky to have him. Let’s show him how grateful we are that he does our social media. :0). On face book we have gone from 600 followers in September 2018 to 1000 today. As a matter of fact, we reached 1000 followers on July 22, 2019. Once we reached 1000 followers we had a random drawing. The winner receives a gift basket valued at $150. Congratulations go to winner Jennifer Baird Davis of Poquoson, Virginia! Jennifer is our lucky winner. We are thinking of our next great give-a-way. Keep up with our social media platforms for more details.


As many of you know, I had been appointed the representing commissioner for the Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians at Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs. My term will be ending soon. Your new commissioner will be tribe member and former tribal councilman, Hubert F. Brohawn III. I promise, I will be departing this seat and leaving you well represented. After discussing with Hugh, I believe he is the best fit and will do an excellent job for you.


The Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians, Inc. has decided to publish a pictorial of our tribal history. No one’s personal history will be published. It will be a book of just pictures with captions. The compilation of this book has been completed and publication is in the works. We worked very hard on this book and are extremely proud of it as I know you will be, too. We are hoping to have it ready for retail sale at the festival. If not, definitely by Christmas.


In March of 2019, we hosted our fourth successful Bingo fundraiser. We had been bingoing designer handbags. This year we bingoed designer bags as well as outdoorsy stuff; tents, ammunition, fishing rod, etc. Our jackpot prize was a cooler packed with goodies valued at $625. Congratulations to jackpot winner Elise Jones! Elise made just a few people a little jealous.


Last fall, tribe member, Matt Kirwan who works for Virginia Institute for Marine Sciences- College of William and Mary, was doing research on local marshes. Matt arranged for tribe members of high school and college age to participate in his research. Matt arranged a weekend camping trip for the students which included participation from historian Gary Marshall, Blackwater Refuge and the U.S. Geological Survey. Some points of interest were: a visit to Blackwater Refuge, brief lesson on sein nets and fishing, a boat ride on the Blackwater River, Shorter’s Wharf, Back Garden Creek, Robbins Landing, Abbott Town, Snake Island, Guinea Island, Grogg Point, Chance Island, camp fires and storytelling around the fire. Thank you Matt for including us in your research, thank you to Jerry Hughes for being the fire keeper and everyone who made the weekend happen. Fun! Fun! Fun!


In September 2018, our 26th Annual Native American Festival had to be cancelled due to the impending Hurricane Florence. As it turned out, it was a gorgeous weekend after all. However, I had a decision to make and I still, to this day, stand by my decision. What I would like people to understand, is most of our staff, drum groups, etc. would have had to drive through Florence to get here. I did not want to put anyone’s life in danger. Safety first and always! Secondly, it was the better business decision. Cancelling the event prior to the date, financially was better than to have the event and lose money. Since we had silent auction items, raffles to be drawn, etc. we decided to have a “Retribution” night. Greg and Millie Cusick of Millie’s Road House in Vienna, MD generously loaned us their restaurant to host our event. It was another successful event. We managed to recuperate our losses and all ended well. Thank you Greg and Millie.


This year, the 27th Annual Native American Festival, is scheduled for September 14 & 15, 2019 at the Ball Field in Vienna, MD under the Water Tower. Gates open at 10:00 A.M. both days and Grand Entry is at Noon both days; Featuring host drum group: Red Fire Singers and Drummers, guest drum group: NaMaWoChi, (just a bit of trivia for you; NaMaWoChi is an acronym for Native Man Woman and Child.) head male and female dancers: Marcos and Dorothy Almanza, arena director: Steve Miller, educator/historian: Rie Miller, flutist: Jerry Smith, storytelling by: C.J. Cole, Raven’s Wing Gang Sleigh Dogs and a special guest performance by: the Aztec Fire Dancers. It has not been confirmed yet but, it is in the works to have Talbot Special Riders, Spot the Leopard Appaloosa and a group of Alpacas. Stay tuned for final details. We are always looking for volunteers, baked goods and silent/live auction items. Attached is a festival flyer.
Brenda “Morning Marsh Woman” Abbott, Jerry “Gentle Bear” Hughes and myself have taken our next generation muskrat trapping. We have had people from less than two years to adult ages join in the excitement. Muskrat trapping is a dying art. We are trying to keep our traditions and culture alive. Thank you Morning Marsh Woman and Gentle Bear.


It seems to me, there is so much more I need to share. For now, I will end this update here and do my best to keep you updated and get Turtle Tracks back in circulation. Thank you and pleasant journeys to All.

Respectfully,
Chief Donna “Wolf Mother” Abbott

Facebook Giveaway!

The Nause-Waiwash are hosting a giveaway! All you have to do is find us on Facebook @TheNWBI, then Like and Follow our page. When we reach 1,000 followers, a winner will be drawn at random to receive a gift yet to be determined.


Find us here: