News Release
Balance Starts Here Campaign *
Five Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah (WTGHA) members have announced their candidacy for open Tribal Council seats in the upcoming November 20th election. The candidates include NaDaizja Bolling for Chairperson; Kayla Darcy (Manning) for Secretary; Linda Coombs, Kristina Hook-Leslie, and Camille Madison for At-Large Council Members.
Running together under the statement “balance starts here,” the group is aligned in their vision for an inclusive and harmonious tribal nation, which they see as a crucial redirect from the current trajectory.
“I’ve felt the repercussions of a shrinking tribal community, indifference toward the climate’s effects on our territory, an outdated and non-inclusive approach to communication with tribal members, a dying desire for tribal members to engage in tribal business, and cursory attempts to collaborate with our sister tribes and local towns for real diplomacy,” says Bolling. “As a nation, we are losing sight of what is most important: all of our relations.”
“My inclusion in this slate with like-minded people will help protect our culture and our lands,” adds incumbent Council Member Hook-Leslie.
These sentiments are reflected in the campaign’s four pillars, which are grounded in restoring traditions of:
- Integrity – Upholding the will of Wampanoag ancestors by respecting people, culture, history, homelands, and roles.
- Excellence – Creating the space, structure, and standards that encourage people to do their best work in service of the community.
- Inclusivity – Thoughtfully engaging tribal members through meaningful and enhanced communications efforts.
- Relations – Improving connections with the Town of Aquinnah, the island community, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, other regional tribes, and the federal government.
“I believe there is a lot of improvement and rebuilding of relationships needed between the town, the island, and our sister tribes,” says Darcy (Manning). “Effectively engaging with these communities through professional and honest communications can positively impact the tribe as a whole.”
The candidates, themselves spanning three generations, also highlight the importance of intergenerational representation in Tribal Council and envision forums for embracing the wisdom of tribal elders while investing in opportunities for future leaders. “This slate represents the hope of what is possible when we listen and adhere to the wisdom and ways of our elders,” says Madison.
In many ways, the group’s approach to restoring balance is rooted in ancestral practices, considering relationships with human and non-human beings–including the land around them. On an island impacted by current and anticipated threats of climate change, they say looking back is essential for moving forward.
“Our ancestors based their lives around maintaining good relations with all beings and the Earth as a way of keeping the balance of the world Creator gave us,” says Coombs. “It is our responsibility to adhere to those values today, within our own community, with other tribal nations, with non-Native people, as well as the land. We carry forward the teachings of our ancestors.”
Additional details about the candidates and their platform can be found on the campaign website, https://www.t8hkeeshaquinnah.com.
* Editor’s note: This is not an official tribal release. Source attribution amended to correctly reflect the Balance Starts Here Campaign.