Tribal members from across the country gathered at the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) tribal headquarters on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the spring season at the annual Spring Social.

Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais said the annual gathering marks a time for new beginnings.

“We celebrate this and give prayers for the beginning of another cycle of many things,” she said. “We gather together for these events so we can continue our traditional cultural practices and beliefs, so that these gifts from our ancestors that we’ve been blessed with can be passed down as a gift to our children and generations to come.”

The celebration was not limited to Vineyard tribal members. Mashpee Wampanoag, Narragansett, Mohawk, Oneida, Mi’Kmag, Navaho, Osage, Piute and Pawnee tribes were all represented.

“All of our tribal gatherings, regardless of whose community is hosting, serve as an extension of all of our tribes, like a home away from home, and this year’s Spring Social was no different,” Mrs. Andrews-Maltais said.

Community members shared in a potluck lunch with a long buffet table of pork, roast chicken, desserts, fruits and sides, followed by a drum circle outside in the brilliant crisp afternoon sun.

Mrs. Andrews-Maltais said one of the most memorable parts of the social is the drum circle and dance.

“We see all of our relations, many generations of all ages dancing, singing and laughing together,” she said. “It’s such a wonderful sight and feeling knowing that despite so many efforts to get rid of us as a people we are still here, and that is truly something to celebrate.”