AGHCA annual reception
The Aquinnah Gay Head Community Association will hold its annual reception from 5 to 8 pm, Tuesday, July 9, at the Old Town Hall. The reception is free, wine and cheese will be served, but additional “finger food” is most welcome, according to a press release.
This year’s reception topic is the Gay Head Lighthouse and the “Keep On Shining” current campaign to save the Light.
A number of speakers will talk about the history of the Light and its meaning to generations of Vineyarders and visitors and the efforts now underway to move and preserve the it for future generations. Slides will be shown and numerous historic artifacts, including unique wooden and ceramic models of the Light and historic photographs, will be available for viewing.
For more information about the reception, email info@aghca.org or call 508-645-9630.
Tisbury Street Fair is Monday
Main Street, Vineyard Haven, will be transformed into a plaza Monday for the town’s annual street fair. Expect to find shopping, cuisine, and entertainment.
Wampanoag leader greets new Interior Secretary
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) chairman Cheryl Andrews Maltais recently traveled to Washington, D.C., where she greeted U.S. Interior secretary Sally Jewell, who was named to the post in April.
Ms. Maltais said the appointment of Ms. Jewell demonstrates how important Indian country continues to be to President Obama, his cabinet and administration.
“We are delighted that President Obama and his administration continue to take these types of steps to acknowledge and respect the relationship and responsibility the United States government has with our tribal nations,” Ms. Maltais said in an email to The Times. “This is wonderful opportunity for Indian Country, all federally recognized indian tribes, to be more fully partnered with the United States on a true government to government basis.
Ms. Maltais added, “In her first weeks in office I was honored to be invited to Secretary Jewell’s first tribal leaders meeting of about 13 out of the 566 tribal leaders. She is sincerely committed to fulfilling the federal government’s responsibility to our tribes; and I committed to her that I would try to assist her in any way that I could.
“This has the potential of being a new dawn of tribal relations with the United States government, and I am excited at the possibilities and blessed to be in tribal leadership at this critical point in our shared history.”
