Local Tribe Holding Weekend Elections
MASHPEE (AP) - The Mashpee Wampanoags are holding an election this weekend to select two new members of the tribal council.
Five people are vying for the two seats in Sunday's election, including two who were previously on the council, two who have run unsuccessfully in the past and one first-time candidate.
The candidates are Patricia Keliinui, Martin Hendricks, Charles Foster, Michelle Hughes-Fernandes and Laura Miranda.
Candidates tell the Cape Cod Times that some of the issues the tribe faces are access to health care, housing and education.
The 13-member tribal council is made up of 11 elected members, the tribe's traditional chief and a medicine man.
The board is responsible for overseeing day-to-day business for the tribe's 1,500-plus members.
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