Joan Tavares Avant facts for kids

Joan Tavares Avant (born April 14, 1940) is an important leader, historian, and writer for the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe. She is also known by her native name, Granny Squannit. Joan lives in Mashpee, Massachusetts.

She has worked as an educator, helping to teach about Native American culture. She was the Director of Indian Education for the Mashpee Public Schools. She also helped start the Wôpanâak language program. This program helps bring back the Wampanoag language.

As a tribal leader, Joan Avant has held many important roles. She has been the Tribal President and a Clan Mother. She also writes, including a column in the Mashpee Enterprise newspaper. She wrote a book called People of the First Light in 2010.

About Joan Tavares Avant

Joan Tavares Avant is the granddaughter of Mabel Pocknett Avant, a respected Mashpee leader. Joan has served three times as the Tribal President. She has also been the Tribal Historian four times.

For 26 years, Joan was the Director of Indian Education in the Mashpee Public School System. In this role, she created a special Wampanoag curriculum. She taught Native and non-Native students and parents about Wampanoag history and culture.

Joan has also helped Wampanoag families with social issues for over 30 years. She has worked in court as a Professional Tribal Elder. This means she offered guidance and cultural understanding to families in need. She helped local Wampanoag students and teachers. She also helped provide school daycare and tutoring. She worked with educators to create lessons about Wampanoag elders, culture, history, and values.

In 1993, Joan was honored for her work in education. In 2012, she was featured on CBS News. She talked about the Wampanoag Language Reclamation Project. This project works to bring the Wampanoag language back to life.

Today, Joan is still very active in the Mashpee community. She is a Clan Mother and a Commissioner for the Tribal Housing Commission. She is also part of the Mashpee Historical Commission. She helps with the Mittark Committee, which publishes the monthly Mashpee Wampanoag newsletter, Nashauonk Mittark.

Joan is a mother of four children. She has five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She also has two adult children whom she loves very much. She is one of seven Clan Mothers in her tribe, specifically the Deer clan mother.

Joan's Education

Joan Tavares Avant went to college later in life. In 1993, when she was 53, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She studied human services at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Then, in 1995, she earned a master's degree in education. She received this degree from Cambridge College. She has continued her studies and is working on a doctoral degree in Education. She is studying at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

The Legend of Granny Squannit

Granny Squannit is a very old legend from the Wampanoag people. She is described as an old medicine woman. She has long black hair that covers a single eye on her forehead.

In the legend, Granny Squannit sometimes takes children who misbehave. She takes them in her canoe to her cave in Cummaquid. She does this to scare them into being good. But Granny Squannit also has a kind side. She gives gifts to good children. She also guides sailors who leave her presents.

Joan Tavares Avant often dresses up as Granny Squannit. Every Halloween, she greets Mashpee children as they walk through the woods. She sometimes playfully scares them.

Joan played Granny Squannit for many years. She kept the legend alive through her writings. Because of this, the tribal medicine man gave her "Granny Squannit" as her native name. She still writes articles about Granny Squannit. She even has her own column called "Tales from Granny Squannit" in the Mashpee Enterprise. Joan also has a tattoo of Granny Squannit on her right arm.

Joan's Work Today

Joan Tavares Avant is very proud of her work. She is a founding trustee for the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project (WLRP). This project opened a special school in 2015. It is a K-3 immersion charter school. This means young children learn in the Wampanoag language.

Joan says it has always been her dream to help preserve her culture. She also wants to help make good decisions for children and families. She wants them to have their own recognized tribal school.