Quiz time. What re-appears after hundreds of years in the form of a drum circle on Nantucket? It’s the Wampanoag Native American Tribe's Black Brook Singers. This Friday, three tribe members came to Nantucket’s Boys & Girls Club to inform the youth of our Island about the significant presence the Wampanoag Indian Tribe that once thrived on our tiny Island, 30 miles out to sea.
Durwood Vanderhoop. his nephew David Vanderhoop, II, and Christopher Kamacho from the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head on Martha’s Vineyard made a very special trip to Nantucket, showing us some pointers on their tribal drumming circle and the history of their amazing tribe. Len Germinara, Learning Center Coordinator at Nantucket’s Boys & Girls Club, had a hand in helping bring some members from the tribe over to our community, thanks to the efforts and friendship he shares with Aquinnah Councilman Durwood Vanderhoop.
Vanderhoop’s goal in bringing the cultural exhibition to Nantucket was to spread knowledge of the interesting history of his people. “We’re bringing an awareness of the Wampanoag culture,” said Vanderhoop, “We’re hoping to be able to share with some of the people of Nantucket and help to bring a better understanding our communities.”
With the efforts of Native Americans like Vanderhoop and other Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe Members, we can all learn a little more about our country’s roots and the real story behind the sovereign tribe that existed on our Island.
Vanderhoop continued, “I think there’s a wide rift in the knowledge of the indigenous people of the land, between the facts and reality of the Native peoples of Massachusetts, but also, particularly, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.”As many Americans know already, the portrayal of Native Americans in today’s culture is often misinformed and usually off-the-mark. From sports teams to media portrayals to personal preconceptions, the proud cultures of the native people of America existed for hundreds of years before settlers showed up, and today we now look back and see that there is much more than meets the eye.“These types of presentations and exchanges are important for developing an understanding between communities and between different peoples,” added Vanderhoop.For more information on the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe on Martha’s Vineyard, take a look at their Web site.
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