A high-ranking delegation from the Mashentucket Pequot Tribal Nation, during a lightning visit to Bermuda, took time out to make a courtesy call on Premier Ewart Brown at the Cabinet Office, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance Paula Cox at the Ministry of Finance, and Minister of Community Affairs Wayne Perienchief.

At each stop there was an exchange of gifts. The visitors also made a short tour of St. George's and St. David's, including a visit to the slave graves.

Assisting in co-ordinating their visit was St.Clair (Brinky) Tucker, former chairman of the St. David's Island Indian Committee. The committee embraces descendants of Native American Indians who were brought to Bermuda as slaves some 400 years ago and settled in St. David's.

Committee members were responsible for reconnecting more than five years ago with their North American kin in Mashantucket, and each summer since have held a commemorative festival in St. David's that has attracted increasing numbers from the Pequot and other tribes.

Our photo shows Tribal Council Member Richard F. Sebastian from the office of Community & Resort Development of the Pequot Tribal Nation making a presentation to Premier Ewart Brown. Looking on are Marjorie Colebut-Jackson; Richard E. Sebastian and James Jackson. The Council has oversight of thousands of people engaged in the lucrative North American Indian casinos.