Tribal members and townsfolk joined hands inside the Aquinnah town hall last week during a celebration for the inauguration of the new Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) chairman.

More than 50 people congratulated Kevin Devine, who was inaugurated to the tribal council’s highest position on Jan. 3. At the event, leaders of both governments pledged to strengthen ties, and members of the community said they were committed to a lasting unity.

“I think we can do some great things within our relationship with the tribe and the town moving forward,” Mr. Devine said. “This is something that’s been long overdue.”

Mr. Devine, who has been chief of staff for the tribe the past two years, narrowly defeated longtime council chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais after running a campaign largely focused on improving the lines of communication with the town and the broader Island community.

New tribal chairman Kevin Devine.

Ray Ewing

New tribal chairman Kevin Devine.

Ray Ewing

He told the Gazette that the energy level among tribal members is high, and the tribe is eager to open up a dialogue with the town to meet shared goals.

“I think we’re going to do a whole lot of good things together,” Mr. Devine said. “It’s all about building relationships and how you communicate with one another.”

Aquinnah select board member Tom Murphy, who organized the gathering, told the Gazette that there was no communication with the prior administration. Mr. Murphy said he and Mr. Devine have a great relationship and are already having conversations about town matters, including education costs and rising taxes.

“There’s two separate and distinct communities here — the tribal members and the non-tribal members,” Mr. Murphy said. “We’re all one family. We’re all going to work together.”

Tribal council member Jeanette Vanderhoop and newly elected officers, Paul Jeffers-Mayhew and Tobias Vanderhoop, were also at the event.

The celebration began with a prayer led by Tobias Vanderhoop. The group stood in a circle holding hands while Mr. Vanderhoop, speaking first in the Wôpanâak language then translating to English, thanked the Creator for the land and asked for help bringing the community together.

Many people offered congratulations to Mr. Devine in speeches that spoke to a shared vision of unity.

Town elder and town administrator Jeffrey Madison said it touched him to hear Mr. Vanderhoop’s prayer spoken in Wôpanâak, which he said is an example of how much the tribe has grown since federal recognition nearly 40 years ago.

He also shared that he is working on securing an affordable housing grant for the town that he hopes to share with the tribe as a long lasting union between the two governments.

Stephanie Devine, older sister to the new chairman, said how proud she was of her brother.

Isaac Taylor gave a heartfelt speech about growing up in town and his gratitude for the tribe welcoming him and his family to Aquinnah. He acknowledged growing pains within the community and said he was overcome with joy for the energy in the room.

Later in the evening, Mr. Vanderhoop pledged his allegiance to Mr. Devine, and said he would support him on his mission to unite tribal members and non-tribal members. Mr. Vanderhoop served as chairman from 2014 to 2017.

In his speech, Mr. Vanderhoop spoke of the Island as a sacred homeland to the Aquinnah Wampanoag, now shared with those who came from elsewhere. He said the community as a whole must work together to build unity.

“This is one place where we are two entities,” Mr. Vanderhoop said. “But it’s one place.”