Pokanoket Wampanoags

01/27/1998 11:05 401253185700 KING PHILIP INN PAGE 02 The Council of Seven / Royal House of Pokanoket Pokanoket Tribe / Wampanoag Nation 400 Metacom Avenue - Bristol, Rhode Island 02809 Tel (401) 253-7600 Fax (401) 253-5890 1857 To President William J. Clinton, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and First Daughter Chelsea: We the Pokanoket Wampanoags send our warm heartfelt greetings during this time of needed compassion. I write to you and your family not only personally, but also on behalf of the vast majority of our tribe. When the Mayflower left England in 1620 and the pilgrims settled in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, they were officially welcomed to this land that was new to them by one of my great-grandfathers, the Massasoit Ousa Mequin. Massasoit is a title, it means "the Great Leader". Ousa Mequin was his name, it means "Yellow Feather". In the spring of 1621, when our people signed a treaty of peace with those pilgrims from England, there was peace for forty years during Ousa Mequin's reign, until he died. Mr. President, the Massasoit Ousa Mequin believed that all mankind could live in harmony. That was his dream. Many of his descendants today, 377 years after the arrival of the pilgrims, are working diligently to fulfill that dream. Mr. President, Pokanoket believes that you have worked vigorously to do your share in fulfilling this dream also. For this reason I write to you, because we love you. We have a battle cry, we say "lootash", meaning "stand firm". Mr. President, "lootash", stand firm. Many of us personally feel that history will record you as a Massasoit, a Great Leader. Out of our love we send you a Pokanoket prayer, Mr. President. Ever sincerely, Pokanoket Paul H. Weeden