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A seven-member Council of Elders is responsible for overseeing judicial matters and the Tribe's cultural integrity and possesses legislative powers specifically granted to this body pursuant to the Tribe's Constitution. The Council of Elders provides traditional Mohegan names to members and appoints, defines, and supervises all religious and ceremonial positions such as Medicine Person, Chief or Sachem, Pipe Carrier, Tribal Historian, Sagamores, Nonners, Fire Keepers, etc. They advise on Tribal cultural matters and enforce rules of Tribal custom.
Front Row Left to Right:
Marie Pineault, Secretary;
Stephanie Fielding, Vice Chairwoman;
Sharon Maynard
Back Row Left to Right:
William Andrews;
Bob Soper, Chairman;
Larry Roberge;
Maynard Strickland, Treasurer
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Robert (Bob) Francis Soper, Chairman and Justice
Bob received a B.S. Degree in Education from Central Connecticut State College, a Masters Degree in Biology from Georgia State University and a Specialist Degree in Supervision and Administration in Education from Georgia State University. His thirty years in education were spent as a teacher, assistant principal and an elementary school principal. Bob served our country as a member of the Army National Guard for six years. Throughout his life he has been active in the community serving on such organizations as Kiwanis, the American Cancer Society and the Headstart Advisory Committee. He presently serves on the Colchester Conservation Commission. Bob has also been active with the Mohegan Tribe, serving on the TERO Commission, participating in the Strategic Planning Focus Group and serving as vice-chair and chairperson for the Mohegan Constitution Revision Commission.
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Stephanie "Morning Fire" Mugford Fielding, Vice Chairwoman and Justice
Stephanie “Morning Fire” Mugford Fielding has a wide-ranging background of experience and interests, and has lived all over the United States. She is currently very involved in the resurrection and instruction of the Mohegan language. Stephanie’s background includes jobs that put her artistic talents to work as a teacher, writer, editor, graphic artist and radio announcer. She has also served on the board of directors of educational institutions, media outlets, non-profit organizations, and religious organizations. In 2002, she received a Bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Connecticut with an emphasis in linguistics and anthropology. She continued her education at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), gaining a Master’s of Science in Linguistics in 2005.
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Marie Pineault, Secretary and Justice
Marie has devoted many years of service to the Tribe. She has worked for the Tribal Government for over 6 years, first as a receptionist and then as an administrative assistant, and also served on various Tribal committees, most recently the Indigenous Games Committee and Constitutional Revision Committee. Prior to her service with the Tribe she worked for Norwich Public Schools responsible for the planning, coordination and supervision of food management programs. Marie has a strong interest in the youth of the Tribe and has committed herself to passing on Tribal knowledge and traditional values.
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Maynard Strickland, Treasurer and Justice
Maynard Strickland served on the Tribal Council for 10 years prior to being elected to the Council of Elders. He was born and raised in Uncasville and is a graduate of New London Business College. Maynard received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy where he served as a Seabee during the Vietnam War. Prior to joining the Tribal Council in 1995, Maynard owned and operated restaurants and nightclubs in Norwich and Florida. During his service to the Tribe he was actively involved in the restoration of the Mohegan Church and Shantok. Maynard is committed to preserving Tribal history and culture for future generations.
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William "Dancing Shadow" Andrews, Elder and Justice
Bill Andrews became involved in Native American culture early in life and for 30 years studied Indian cultures on reservations of the Viejas, Sycuan, Barona and Manzanita tribes of southern California and throughout the southwest. He has been active on the Mohegan Constitutional Revision Commission and has been involved with USET. He teaches Native flute to Tribal children for the Community Programs Department and has also designed artwork for Indian Country advertisements and Mohegan Wigwam posters. A former U.S. Marine Corps Reservist, Bill also has a small aircraft pilot's license. Other previous experience includes positions as a tombstone cutter, trucker and environmental activist.
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Sharon "Accomac" Maynard, Elder and Justice
Sharon "Accomac" Maynard is an integral part of the artistic and community life of the Mohegan people. She has been actively involved in planning the Tribe’s annual Wigwam event; has served as a manager for the Cultural and Community Programs department of the Tribe; and has also has been a part of the Tribe’s language project. She has worked as a field and lab technician in the Tribal archeology department, and has also been a guest instructor in the ethno-biology department at Connecticut College. Sharon has passed down the gift of basket-making that she learned from Nonner Pauline Brown to many Mohegan tribal members. Having earned an A.S. in hospitality management from Three Rivers Community College, Sharon is currently pursuing a B.S. with a focus in Anthropology at Charter Oak State College. Her other interests include music and the culinary arts.
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Laurence J. Roberge, Elder and Justice
As a founding member of the Mohegan Tribe’s Housing Authority, Laurence J. Roberge was part of the managing body that created the Tribe’s elder residence. In addition, his position included overseeing other programs that served the general housing needs of Tribal members. His professional background includes experience with the building industry, having worked with L.H. Bond Sand & Gravel, and also for the Town of Montville’s Department of Public Works. Laurence has also coached youth basketball, Babe Ruth baseball, and Little League for the Town of Montville. Laurence carries on a long-standing family tradition of stewardship, being the eldest child of Tribal Nonner Loretta Roberge, who was part of the council that fought for the Tribe’s federal recognition. Laurence’s sister, Lynn Malerba, currently serves as Vice Chairperson of the Tribal Council.
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