OUR DAY IN THE SUN STATEWIDE Edition 7

• Published in: The Hartford courant
• Main Author: PETER B. PACH Peter B. Pach is an editorial writer
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hartford, Conn Tribune Publishing Company, LLC 09.03.1997
• ISSN: 1047-4153; 2641-3892

Eight members of the editorial board visited the new Mohegan Sun casino Feb. 27. They met with tribe executives that morning, then headed for the games after lunch, each carrying $20 from The Courant to wager, with the understanding that any proceeds would go to Camp Courant. A stream runs through Fort Shantok State Park in Montville and on a dreary day in February the cold, dark water bounces along the stones searching for its resting place. Here in these woods, where the fierce tribe led by the sachem Uncas fought off foes such as the Narragansetts, Nehantics, Norwootuc and Tunxis, is where I expect to find the spirit of the Mohegans. In recent years, Gladys Tantaquidgeon, 97, kept the Mohegan stories alive and helped hold the landless tribe together through a bond of culture and spiritual tradition. Tantaquidgeon learned at the knee of her great-aunt Fidelia Hoscutt Fielding, who was the last fluent speaker of the Mohegan language and was known for regularly consulting with the little people. Tantaquidgeon is an accomplished scholar, as is her great-niece Melissa Fawcett, who as a child began her fascination with the tribe's traditions and is now tribal historian. Fawcett says she believes in the little people. I believe her.