Provisional Membership
Last week I posted part one of memories growing up at the Mashantucket Pequot reservation over the last 20+ years, so today I present “part two”.
I’ll begin by sharing a little something about when I was first enrolled in the tribe….not as a full member of the tribe, but as a “provisional” member. What on earth is a “provisional member”? Yeah, that was my question too, back in the day. So, check this out…
When we arrived to Mashantucket there were a few kind-hearted Pequots who welcomed us, but many met us with scornful glances and occasional confrontation. Some ignored us altogether. They didn’t know us from Adam, and they were quick to remind us of that fact regularly. But they had their reasons.
Just prior to our arrival, the tribal council made a decision to limit benefits for newly enrolled adult tribal members and appoint them as “provisional members” for their first year. Once the casino opened to the public, the tribe was overwhelmed by hundreds of membership applications flooding in each week from applicants around the world vying to become members; most of whom did not meet the membership criteria. There were so many applications that some feared the strain of rapid community growth and how it might impact the security of those already there. Apart from that obvious problem, another reason for provisional membership was due to the actions of one person who sexually abused tribal children during a summer youth program. He was arrested, imprisoned and permanently banished from the tribe. Caution was high, and for very good cause.
I was one of about fifty people who became provisional members. Most of us understood the reasoning behind the decision, but this label still felt as if we were punished for being outsiders rather than having grown up on or near the reservation. The irony was, although some were angry about the influx of people moving back to the reservation when they discovered the casino, the reality was this: if we wanted to be eligible to become full tribal members, all provisional members were required to move on or near the reservation and prove their worth in the community for one year. The tribal membership would then vote on each individual, deciding whether or not to enroll us as official members with full benefits and privileges. So if we wanted to be enrolled Pequots, we simply had to move there. It was all or nothing. And although we were uncertain of what we were getting ourselves into, we faced quite a bit of hostility and suspicion from many Pequots who had lived here a long time. Who the hell do you think you are? You don’t know your ass from a hole in the ground! I don’t know you! Who’s your ancestor? Did you move to Mashantucket because of the money and opportunities? The honest answer is, some did and some didn’t. But in our case, it was like were darned if we did, and darned if we didn’t.
As provisional members, we were given job placement assistance and basic medical care, along with a modest salary. Nevertheless, we were not eligible for tribal housing or education benefits, and we were not allowed to vote in that year’s tribal elections. The larger families began to pressure the tribal council to overturn the provisional membership law so they could bring their own family members into full membership status, which would build their political strength. On the first Sunday in November, 1996, an official vote of the general membership took place at the tribe’s annual meeting, which overwhelmingly approved to convert each provisional member over to full tribal member status immediately. It was official: I became a fully enrolled Mashantucket Pequot tribal member that day. The very next thing I did was apply for college. I was accepted to the University of Connecticut.
Todays thoughts and new hope for healthey change……..
Evil must rely on the self-serving interests of the arrogant, the lustful, the power-hungry, the hateful, and the greedy to feed and proliferate. This then becomes the condition of evil’s existence: the baneful ideologies of those who wantonly chose to ignore the needs and rights of others.The trust of the innocent is the liar’s most useful tool.
It is true that nobody is above the law, but power can make somebody invisible.
When honor and the Law no longer stand on the same side of the line, how do we choose?
We should keep in our minds……………
Conflict is created by two conditions: the evil that is sanctioned by the corrupted…and the sacrifice borne by upright men and women who chose to destroy it.
One’s got to change the system, or one changes nothing.
All very true and important points, thank you! And I’d only add this: ignoring the evil, keeping it hidden in secret, or pretending it never happened to begin with serves no point except the selfish ego of ones who choose ignorance. This mindset only preserves the status quo and silently accepts past mistakes as okay rather than promoting positive change. I’m glad you took time to share your thoughts today! Peace~ Lori
Oh do I know how true your addition is and I thank you.
Peace and good change for you and all the good and honest that do care.
As one who has been a very close observer of the Tribes growth and changes for many years, I again find your writings to hold great truth. I have been able to watch a great many very happy times for the Tribe and other times that left me feeling like things that were happening could hurt the Tribe, its members and any that were honestly trying to help.These things were going unnoticed, not ever corrected, and trusted, respected individuals were taking advantage for their own self purpose and gain for many years.
I do understand why some members would become untrusting and bitter. It appears that things have regressed in many respects and until there is more honesty, and correction of past problems that have only grown, healing and healthy progress cannot happen at a time when it is so very needed.
There are those that truly care and wish they could help bring about good change. Reading your blog does help this caring observer to see that there is a ray of hope that the good will prevail and help the Tribe be all that it was envisioned to be in the very begining.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters
compared to what lies within us.
Walt Emerson
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment
before starting to improve the world.
Anne Frank
Greetings, womanwithhope…You’re absolutely correct. I can see by what you write that you do know this place well. Thank you for taking time to share today. Your insights are well received and I truly appreciate them.
Warmly,
Lori
hey, lori
Great job
Much appreciated, thank you for the encouragement!
Warmly,
Lori