Mark Quiet Hawk Gould
Principal Chief, Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indian Tribe of New Jersey
Mark “Quiet Hawk” Gould is known among his people, the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indian Tribe of New Jersey, as a leader who has worked tirelessly on their behalf since the 1970s, when he was part of a core group of tribal citizens who launched a modern-day re-organization of the ancient tribe.
A pragmatist known for his dedication and energy, Chief Gould has been a longtime advocate for improving the economic and educational opportunities for tribal citizens. He believes deeply in preserving the tribe’s traditional culture, customs, and values, and is especially interested in working with Elders and youth.
Born in Bridgeton, N.J., on March 28, 1942, Chief Gould was raised in an era when citizens of the tribe routinely hid their identity to protect themselves from rampant discrimination and abuse. While living in Maryland in the early 1970s, he was inspired by a Piscataway Chief to return home to New Jersey and help his own people assert their rights and embrace their heritage.
He initiated the incorporation of the tribe as a nonprofit entity under the laws of the State of New Jersey, a step which was finalized in 1978. Also that year, he became the first elected Tribal Chairman under the modern-day structure of the tribe. Another significant milestone occurred in 1982, when the tribe earned State Recognition.
Chief Gould’s work has extended beyond the needs of his own tribe, which now has more than 3,000 individual citizens. He served as the leader of the movement to form the American Indian Council of New Jersey, and was elected as that organization’s first Chairman. He initiated the introduction of the Senate Bill calling for the creation of the Commission of Indian Affairs for the State of New Jersey, which was signed into law in 1995. He helped to create a Confederation among Lenape Tribes in the U.S. and Canada.
Chief Gould has represented the tribe on many occasions, including at the historic meeting in Washington, D.C. between all Tribes in the Nation and President William Jefferson “Bill” Clinton, and the opening of the Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Indian, in 2004.
He held a leadership role in the successful legal battle to protect the Black Creek Site, a 10,000 year old Lenape campground and burial site in Vernon, N.J. which had been slated for development.
Over many years, Chief Gould worked with tribal citizens to help them raise funds with the goal of purchasing land for the private use of the tribe. The dream was realized in 1995 with the purchase of 28 acres in Fairton, N.J. The property, called “Cohanzick,” includes a Sacred Circle for religious services.
In 1994, he was chosen by Governor Christie Whitman as a member of the New Jersey Commission on National Service. In April 1996 he received the Thurgood Marshall Humanitarian Award and in January 2011 he received the I Have A Dream Award from the Cumberland County, N.J., Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. As the recipient of those awards, he was recognized by the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Cumberland County; by U.S. Congressman Frank LoBiondo; and U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg. In 2001, he was honored by the Committee on Native American Ministries of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Chief Gould is a veteran of the U.S. Army, having enlisted for a three-year tour of duty, served mostly in Korea, from 1960 to 1963. Professionally, he is a trained carpenter who has owned his own contracting business. Since 2000, he has worked for Tri-County Community Action Partnership, overseeing construction and maintenance of 32 agency-owned buildings in Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem counties, N.J. He is currently the Weatherization Manager for Native American Advancement Corp.
A 1960 graduate of Bridgeton (N.J.) High School, he attended Cumberland County College, Atlantic Community College, and Gloucester County College.
A native craftsman and traditional dancer, Chief Gould is also an avid outdoorsman who especially likes canoeing. The father of three grown daughters, he enjoys spending time with his extended family, which now includes twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Principal Chief, Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indian Tribe of New Jersey
Mark “Quiet Hawk” Gould is known among his people, the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indian Tribe of New Jersey, as a leader who has worked tirelessly on their behalf since the 1970s, when he was part of a core group of tribal citizens who launched a modern-day re-organization of the ancient tribe.
A pragmatist known for his dedication and energy, Chief Gould has been a longtime advocate for improving the economic and educational opportunities for tribal citizens. He believes deeply in preserving the tribe’s traditional culture, customs, and values, and is especially interested in working with Elders and youth.
Born in Bridgeton, N.J., on March 28, 1942, Chief Gould was raised in an era when citizens of the tribe routinely hid their identity to protect themselves from rampant discrimination and abuse. While living in Maryland in the early 1970s, he was inspired by a Piscataway Chief to return home to New Jersey and help his own people assert their rights and embrace their heritage.
He initiated the incorporation of the tribe as a nonprofit entity under the laws of the State of New Jersey, a step which was finalized in 1978. Also that year, he became the first elected Tribal Chairman under the modern-day structure of the tribe. Another significant milestone occurred in 1982, when the tribe earned State Recognition.
Chief Gould’s work has extended beyond the needs of his own tribe, which now has more than 3,000 individual citizens. He served as the leader of the movement to form the American Indian Council of New Jersey, and was elected as that organization’s first Chairman. He initiated the introduction of the Senate Bill calling for the creation of the Commission of Indian Affairs for the State of New Jersey, which was signed into law in 1995. He helped to create a Confederation among Lenape Tribes in the U.S. and Canada.
Chief Gould has represented the tribe on many occasions, including at the historic meeting in Washington, D.C. between all Tribes in the Nation and President William Jefferson “Bill” Clinton, and the opening of the Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Indian, in 2004.
He held a leadership role in the successful legal battle to protect the Black Creek Site, a 10,000 year old Lenape campground and burial site in Vernon, N.J. which had been slated for development.
Over many years, Chief Gould worked with tribal citizens to help them raise funds with the goal of purchasing land for the private use of the tribe. The dream was realized in 1995 with the purchase of 28 acres in Fairton, N.J. The property, called “Cohanzick,” includes a Sacred Circle for religious services.
In 1994, he was chosen by Governor Christie Whitman as a member of the New Jersey Commission on National Service. In April 1996 he received the Thurgood Marshall Humanitarian Award and in January 2011 he received the I Have A Dream Award from the Cumberland County, N.J., Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. As the recipient of those awards, he was recognized by the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Cumberland County; by U.S. Congressman Frank LoBiondo; and U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg. In 2001, he was honored by the Committee on Native American Ministries of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Chief Gould is a veteran of the U.S. Army, having enlisted for a three-year tour of duty, served mostly in Korea, from 1960 to 1963. Professionally, he is a trained carpenter who has owned his own contracting business. Since 2000, he has worked for Tri-County Community Action Partnership, overseeing construction and maintenance of 32 agency-owned buildings in Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem counties, N.J. He is currently the Weatherization Manager for Native American Advancement Corp.
A 1960 graduate of Bridgeton (N.J.) High School, he attended Cumberland County College, Atlantic Community College, and Gloucester County College.
A native craftsman and traditional dancer, Chief Gould is also an avid outdoorsman who especially likes canoeing. The father of three grown daughters, he enjoys spending time with his extended family, which now includes twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
