Firekeepers

Firekeepers maintain the sacred fire and oversee the Tribe’s fire pit for religious and ceremonial purposes.

Mohegan Firekeepers Responsible for initiating and maintaining the two types of sacred fires utilized by the Mohegan Tribe—the funeral fire and the ceremonial fire

FIREKEEPERS - Anthony Darling

Anthony Darling, Dancing Hawk (Awásh Pámkôt)

Firekeeper

Anthony, Dancing Hawk, Darling was appointed as a Firekeeper in May 2025. He works at the Tantaquidgeon Museum as a Museum Assistant, giving tours and maintaining the grounds. He’s excited to serve the community as Firekeeper, offering prayers and good medicine to all. Darling has grown up on-Reservation since he was three years old, and thanks to his mother and three sisters, has been heavily involved in Mohegan culture and traditions for many years. He continues to maintain our culture through playing the flute, drumming with the Crow Hill Singers, and educating all museum guests, including Tribal members and the public, about our Mohegan People.

 

FIREKEEPERS - Chuck Cramer

Chuck Cramer, Drumming Hawk (Awáhsh Táwáhtak)

Firekeeper

Charles, Drumming Hawk, Cramer was appointed as a Firekeeper in May of 2025. He began his training with fellow Firekeeper Jay Ihloff when Ihloff was appointed. Cramer was raised by his aunt, Rebecca Magyar, and uncle, Dave Magyar, who kept him involved with the Tribe from a very young age. He is very grateful for the Elders and family in his life who keep the culture alive, and looks forward to serving his Tribal family in his role as Firekeeper.

 

FIREKEEPERS - Jay Ihloff

Jay Ihloff, Two Trees (Neeswee Muhtuksh)

Firekeeper

Jay, Two Trees, Ihloff has served as a Firekeeper for the Tribe since 2008. He was mentored and trained in the Eastern Woodland traditions by many respected members of the community, including venerated Elders and Sagamores. Ihloff holds the sacred responsibility of supporting Tribal families during some of their most difficult times—a humbling and deeply honored duty. Guiding spirits through prayer and standing with families in moments of grief is not only a privilege but a calling that he carries with great reverence. Preserving and passing down these ancient ceremonies is at the core of Ihloff’s life’s work—a commitment to keeping tradition alive for future generations.

FIREKEEPERS - Corrie Meehan

Corrie Meehan, Swift Sun Turtle (Kuypwee Tooyupáhs)

Firekeeper

Corrie, Swift Sun Turtle, Meehan was appointed as a Firekeeper in May 2025. They are incredibly honored to be able to support our community in this role. Meehan has been a Mohegan Language student since 2020, was hired as an Apprentice in 2022, and was promoted to a Language Teacher in 2024. She is thrilled to be able to continuously learn more of the Mohegan language as it consistently supports and better informs the cultural teachings she has grown up receiving and has the privilege to pass on. She grew up near the reservation, attending a wide range of cultural programming and events, ranging from helping run outreaches with her mom, attending craft and dance classes, and volunteering for our community in various ways. She returned home in 2022 and has felt very privileged and fulfilled being able to learn, teach, and support Tribal families as needed at ceremonial fires and other tribal events. They look forward to continuing to connect with more Tribal members in this role.

 

FIREKEEPERS - Charlie Strickland

Charles Strickland Jr., Big Heart (GunchieTia)

Firekeeper

Charles, Big Heart, Strickland Jr. has been actively representing the Tribe since 1998. Deeply committed to cultural preservation and community service, Strickland completed his fast for Drumkeeper rights at Fort Shantok in 2000, followed by a second fast in 2004 for Firekeeper and Lodge Door rights—key ceremonial responsibilities within the Tribe.

He is the co-founder of the drum group Unity of Nations, formed alongside his father, Charles, Two Bears, Strickland Sr. Together, they have provided music and spiritual presence for private and historical Tribal ceremonies, including the Repatriation Ceremony with Dartmouth College and the Grande Debut at INSPIRE in South Korea.

Honored by his most recent appointment, Strickland brings decades of experience and dedication to his new role and is excited to continue serving the Tribe in this capacity.

 

FIREKEEPERS - Dylan Russell

Dylan Russell, Yellow Feather (Weesôweeqan)

Firekeeper-in-Training

Dylan, Yellow Feather, Russell was appointed as a Firekeeper In-Training in 2025. Russell has served the Mohegan Tribe since 2022 for both the Archaeology Department and the Tantaquidgeon Museum. In these roles, he conducted archaeological work on the Mohegan reservation and provided tours of the museum and its outdoor villages. Previously, from 2016 to 2018, he worked as a Mohegan youth worker in Tribal summer programs. Russell has actively tended funeral fires since 2022 as a volunteer and is excited to serve his community in an official capacity as a firekeeper-in-training.

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