Aug 10, 2026 | Community Relations, General News
Interactive Journey Invites Guests to Explore Mohegan History, Symbols, and Stories
Mohegan Sun is excited to introduce an all-new self‑guided Mohegan Cultural Tour, inviting guests to experience the sights and sounds of the Mohegan People and the living spirit of the Tribe’s history woven throughout the property. The journey explores the stories, traditions and symbols of the Mohegan Tribe—brought to life through architectural details and cultural expressions. The tour begins with a message from Sôksqá Mutáwi Mutáhash (Chief Many Hearts), Lynn Malerba, the Mohegan Tribe’s lifetime Chief and the first woman to hold this esteemed role in more than 300 years, setting the tone for the tour. A message from Mohegan Elder and former Mohegan Tribal Chairman, Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, who also serves as the narrator, then follows as part of an introduction to the Winter Entrance Gallery. Throughout the tour, guests can scan QR codes at designated locations to access engaging content.
“At Mohegan Sun, showcasing the rich history and themes of the Mohegan Tribe has always been a very meaningful part of our guest experience,” said Jeff Hamilton, President & General Manager of Mohegan Sun. “This new self‑guided tour significantly elevates that tradition, reflecting on and showcasing the Tribe’s heritage, stories, artifacts, and much more. We hope visitors leave with a deeper appreciation for the Mohegan story and the living culture that continues to guide everything we do.”
The Winter Entrance Gallery begins the cultural tour, an area between the Earth Expo & Convention Center and Sift Bake Shop, displaying the history and the many symbols of the Mohegan Tribe, including baskets weaved from ash, oak or shaped from bark, brass kettles, toboggans, snow shoes, snow snakes and more. These items reflect the Mohegan People’s knack for skilled craftsmanship, resourcefulness, and a time-honored understanding of the natural materials that sustains their way of life. This area of the tour also showcases a map of the Delaware Migration. The Mohegan people are part of the broader Algonquian‑speaking cultures of southern New England, with historical records linking their origins to the Lenni Lenape (Delaware) and a major migration from the Hudson River Valley into present‑day Connecticut. Identifying as an ancient Wolf Clan of the Delaware, the Mohegans first lived in the region as part of the Pequot before internal divisions led Uncas to form the independent Mohegan Tribe and establish its distinct identity.
Guests are then invited to to the next section of the tour, titled Fireside Stories – stories that have been passed down through generations, recounting the Tribe’s values, history, and ancestral wisdom through tales of Moshup the Giant, the Little People(Makiawisua) and powerful spirits.
The tour then encounters artwork by Mohegan artist Kristin Emilyta, whose paintings draw on her family’s legacy and her own vivid memories of Mohegan traditions. Her work—featured in regional museums and cultural exhibitions—celebrates identity, ancestral connection, and the living spirit of the Tribe.
Throughout the Winter Entrance Gallery, guests encounter sacred Mohegan sites that reflect the Tribe’s history and spiritual heritage, including Moshup’s Rock, Fort Shantok, the Uncas cabin foundation, and the historic Mohegan Church, which will celebrate its 200th Anniversary in 2031. The tour also highlights the Tantaquidgeon Museum and the restored Royal Mohegan Burial Ground, showcasing the Tribe’s enduring commitment to preserving and protecting its sacred places.
The Winter Entrance Gallery concludes with an area dedicated to the roles and responsibilities of the current Mohegan Tribal Council and the Mohegan Council of Elders.
The next phase of the cultural tour brings guests to a striking sculptural smudge pot, visible from the escalators on the way down to Casino of the Earth from the Winter corridor. This sculpture symbolizes the Mohegan practice of burning sacred herbs to cleanse spaces and invite clarity and good spirits. Cast from a mold created on the Mohegan Reservation, it stands beside an illustration of the Wolf Moon—one of the 13 Moons of the Mohegan lunar calendar, representing the challenges of winter and the storytelling season. Visitors are encouraged to look for the remaining Mohegan Moons throughout the tour.
As the tour moves from Casino of the Earth into The Shops at Mohegan Sun and Casino of the Sky, guests will pass the iconic Maheehkunuk rock figure and wolf at the Spring Gateway near the Mohegan Sun Box Office. This symbol reflects the Mohegan identity—“Mohegan” meaning Wolf People in the Mohegan language—and honors the Tribe’s values of loyalty, strength, and family.
The wolf represents the Mohegan people’s connection to the land, their ancestors, and their enduring spirit. Behind the rock, guests will also find a special carving created by the honorable Mohegan Chief Ralph Sturges, gifted to Mohegan Sun as an expression of his dedication to the tribe and its legacy.
At the entrance to Casino of the Sky, guests can look down to see the round mosaic featuring the Turtle, Turkey, and Wolf—clans of the Lenni Lenape, with the Mohegans belonging to the Wolf Clan. Within the dark red wolf, guests can notice the hidden turkey shape.
Beyond the mosaic stands the Tree of Life, reflecting the Mohegan belief that time is a circle connecting past, present, and future. Sculptural wooden arches represent the roots, trunk, and branches, honoring ancestors, today’s Mohegan community, and generations to come, while beaded canopies echo sacred red cedars. To the left of the Tree of Life, Mohegan Sun’s largest interior mural depicts humanity emerging from nature through the image of a man formed from the Earth, reinforcing the enduring connection between people, the land, and the spirit world.
The journey through The Shops at Mohegan Sun and Casino of the Sky then offers tour guests the below highlights:
- “River Blue” Sculpture: A towering hand-blown sculpture by famed glass artist, Dale Chihuly, features 2,500 hand-blown glass pieces in vibrant cobalt blue, shimmering silver and clear tones. The 10,000-pound art piece evokes the powerful swell of water rising in a single, dramatic motion.
- Taughannick Falls: A part of Todd English’s Tuscany, this powerful waterfall cascades down seven stories, symbolizing Taughannick Falls—an area in what is now upstate New York where the Mohegan people once lived. This region is known for its breathtaking waterfalls and rugged gorges. During the Mohegan migration to Qunutukut—what we now call Connecticut—crossing the Taughannick Falls area was especially dangerous. As Mohegan medicine woman Emma Baker said in the late 1800s, “This is where our folks came from—away, to the hills of Taughannick!”
- Michael Jordan’s Steak House & MJ23 Sports Bar & Grill: Located near the Sky Convention Center features a dome just outside the entrance to both Michael Jordan restaurants. Guests can step into a circular pattern within this area, look up with the dome directly above, and stand in a spot designed to create to create an echo. The feature at Mohegan Sun was inspired by the spirit of childhood and finding joy in life’s simple moments.
- Wombi Rock: A Living Mountain of Light and Spirit: At the heart of the Casino of the Sky rises Wombi Rock, a 65‑foot crystal formation inspired by the Mohegan belief that rocks hold spirit, energy, and memory. Crafted from 3,774 hand‑selected onyx slabs sourced internationally and finished by artisans in Italy, the structure is laminated to glass to allow light to radiate through its surface. Above, a planetarium‑style dome symbolizes the ever‑changing sky and Mohegan cosmology.
- Sky Tower Hotel Lobby: This iconiclobby features a captivating design rooted in Mohegan storytelling, featuring trees, water elements, and a river flowing toward Taughannick Falls. Shaped like a giant birch-bark basket, the space honors a long‑standing Mohegan tradition where baskets serve as both functional tools and carriers of history. Intricate beadwork woven throughout the trees adds texture and meaning, celebrating the artistry and cultural legacy of the Mohegan Tribe.
- Matt Harris Turtle Painting: Also located in the Sky Tower Hotel Lobbyand inspired by the Lenni Lenape Creation Story, a Grandfather Turtle painting by Mohegan Tribal member Matt Harris is on display. The painting depicts the sacred narrative of the turtle raising its back from the waters to form the land, giving rise to life and humanity. It draws from one of the earliest recorded tellings of the story by Elder Tantaqua in 1679, about the enduring connection between land, water, spirit, and creation.
For more information on the new Mohegan Cultural Tour, please visit mohegansunculturalcorner.stqry.app/
Just down the road from Mohegan Sun, guests can also explore more Tribal history at the Tantaquidgeon Museum, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2031.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, two distinct convention centers, an expo center, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan also operates an iGaming division, Mohegan Digital, in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Ontario, CA providing cutting-edge online gaming solutions to Mohegan’s loyal fan base. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
###
Jun 14, 2023 | Community Relations, Employment, General News
Company Initiatives Reinforce the Tribe’s Commitment to the Environment,
Inclusivity, and Transparency
The Mohegan Tribe, a sovereign, federally recognized Indian nation situated with a reservation in Southeastern Connecticut, and Mohegan, the world-renowned entertainment and gaming business, announced their inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Annual Report.
Mohegan’s ESG framework encompasses environmental sustainability initiatives, with a specific focus on: energy conservation and management of resources; social efforts that invest in and support team members; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives; responsible gaming and local communities; as well as governance and business ethics that guide company leaders, team members, and its operations.
The Mohegan ESG Steering Committee consists of representatives across the enterprise and is responsible for the formal framework for the organization’s ESG initiatives. The ESG Steering Committee reports directly to Mohegan President and Chief Executive Officer, Raymond Pineault, and the Mohegan Management Board, which is comprised of key members of the sovereign Native American tribe.
“Throughout the history of The Mohegan Tribe, we have been grounded and united in our care for Mother Earth and for one another, and it is those same values that we now bring to this formalized ESG strategy,” said James Gessner Jr., Chairman of The Mohegan Tribe. “This framework underscores our belief in a cooperative approach that lifts all people up, allowing for the prosperity of The Mohegan Tribe as well as our neighboring communities, families, and individuals.”
“In every community, state, and country in which we operate, we are stewards of the environment, a community advocate, a trusted business partner, and an employer of choice.” said Carol Anderson, Chief Financial Officer of Mohegan and ESG Committee Chairperson. “While every Mohegan destination is unique, they each reflect our shared vision of transforming entertainment into a more immersive, exhilarating experience while living by The Mohegan Tribe’s dedication to core values. We are proud of the way we approach our business, and prouder still that we continue to build on how we think about and support environmental, social, and governance principles.”
Information about Mohegan’s commitment to ESG, including highlights of current initiatives, can be found by visiting mohegangaming.com/esg/.
About Mohegan
Mohegan is the owner, developer, and manager of premier entertainment resorts in the United States, Canada, and Northern Asia. Mohegan’s U.S. operations include resorts in Connecticut, Washington, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Nevada; Canadian operations are based in Niagara Falls; and Mohegan Inspire is located in Incheon, South Korea. The brand’s iGaming division, Mohegan Digital, provides cutting-edge online gaming solutions to Mohegan’s loyal fan base and meets the digital needs of customers on a global scale. Mohegan is owner and operator of Connecticut Sun, a professional basketball team in the WNBA. For more information on Mohegan and its properties, please visit www.mohegangaming.com.
About The Mohegan Tribe
The Mohegan Tribe is a sovereign, federally recognized Indian tribe situated with a reservation in Southeastern Connecticut. To learn more about the educational programming sponsored by the Mohegan Tribe visit https://www.mohegan.nsn.us/resources/educational-resources.
###
Oct 12, 2022 | Community Relations
***MEDIA ALERT***
The Mohegan Tribe, Griffin Health and the State Department of Public Health to Host Vaccination Clinics at Mohegan Sun
WHAT: Taking place at the Earth Expo & Convention Center this Thursday from 11:00am – 5:00pm and again on Thursday, October 27th from 9:00am – 3:00pm, will be a free Covid-19 vaccine clinic. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and booster doses will be available to the public, and no appointment is required. This partnership between The Mohegan Tribe, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, Griffin Health and Mohegan Sun aims to help in managing COVID-19 this fall and winter.
WHEN: Thursday, October 13th | 11:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday, October 27th | 9:00am – 3:00pm
WHERE: The Thunder/Harvest meeting rooms inside Earth Expo & Convention Center at Mohegan Sun.
IN DETAIL: Primary shots and boosters for Pfizer and Moderna will be available to all eligible age groups. Legal parent/guardian must be present for individuals under the age of 18. For more information, click HERE.
Or contact the CT Department of Public Health at 800.203.1234.
*Masks must be worn in the clinic area and guests are also asked to bring with them a driver’s license or non-driver photo ID, as well as their CDC vaccination card.
Feb 18, 2021 | Breaking News, Community Relations, General News, Uncategorized
UNCASVILLE, CT (February 18, 2021) – In a continued effort to meet public health needs relating to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Ned Lamont, the Mohegan Tribe, and Yale New Haven Health System today announced plans to open a large-scale community vaccination site at Mohegan Sun.
The clinic will open on Friday, February 19, 2021, and will be located at Mohegan Sun’s Earth Expo & Convention Center. It will operate on an appointment-only basis, weather permitting, and is available for Connecticut residents.
On the first day of operations, the clinic is expected to serve up to 300 Connecticut residents with the ability to increase vaccine distribution based on availability. Additional appointments will be added regularly as more supply of the vaccine becomes available by the federal government. It will operate in accordance with existing state rules and procedures relating to vaccine eligibility.
Connecticut residents who are currently eligible to be vaccinated can schedule an appointment for the clinic by visiting www.ynhhs.org/covidvaccine and selecting the Mohegan Sun location. Appointments will also be available through the state’s COVID Vaccine Appointment Assist Line (877-918-2224), which is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
“This latest mass vaccination site shows the coordinated effort our state is making with our tribal partners, and our partners in healthcare,” Governor Lamont said. “The Mohegan Tribe has taken incredible steps throughout the pandemic to keep its members and residents safe through standing up testing sites, the distribution of PPE, and coordination with the Connecticut Department of Public Health. We will get through this pandemic by working together, especially in vaccine distribution, and that’s exactly what this site represents.”
“The Mohegan Tribe has a long-held philosophy of cooperation and working together with our neighbors, and throughout this pandemic we have practiced those values each and every day,” James Gessner, Chairman of the Mohegan Tribe, said. “Whether it meant temporarily shutting down operations entirely, installing new state-of-the-art safety technology, distributing PPE to healthcare partners, or helping provide community COVID testing, Mohegan is working hard to help Connecticut manage this crisis. Now, the next step in that work will be serving as a hub in southeastern Connecticut for the state’s vaccination efforts. We are proud to continue to help serve our community, and eager to help Connecticut get as many state residents vaccinated as quickly as possible.”
“We are excited to provide more COVID-19 vaccinations to the residents in southeastern Connecticut,” Patrick Green, President and CEO of L+M Healthcare, said. “The Mohegan Sun community vaccine site is yet another extension of the remarkable partnership between our organizations to prioritize the health and wellness of the communities we serve. Our teams have been working around the clock to streamline the vaccination process to accommodate as many people as we can. It is a privilege to be in a position where we can open another community vaccination site along with our Mohegan colleagues.”
Under the current phase of Connecticut’s vaccination program, individuals over the age of 65 are eligible to be vaccinated, and will soon expand to more eligible groups. For updates on the phased rollout, visit ct.gov/covidvaccine.
# # #
Dec 8, 2020 | Breaking News, Community Relations, General News, Uncategorized
UNCASVILLE, CT (December 8, 2020) – Yale New Haven Health, the Mohegan Tribe and Mohegan Sun have announced a new community COVID-19 collection site in the Mohegan Sun Thames Garage.
The drive-through site was selected to provide more community testing in the Uncasville region, but also to allow Mohegan Sun team and Tribal members access to fast, safe COVID-19 testing. The Thames Garage location is open to the public and Mohegan team members by appointment only.
The new Yale New Haven Health site will provide COVID-19 testing (symptomatic and asymptomatic) for patients with or without insurance. If a child is under age 18, a parent/guardian must be present. All adults over 18 must bring a photo ID. Face masks are required.
Appointments are required and can be made by a physician placing an order or by using the following link: https://covidtesting2.ynhhs.org/
The Mohegan Tribe and Mohegan Sun recently expanded a partnership with Yale New Haven Health, to further ensure the safety and health of not just team members of Mohegan Sun, but for the larger surrounding community. This COVID-19 collection site in the Mohegan Sun Thames Garage is a significant part of that goal. Construction of an 8,500 square-foot health center located in Trading Cove lot, which will provide Primary Care, Walk-in care and Specialty care for employees, the public and Mohegan Tribal members, is also underway and planned for a spring 2021 opening.
Since temporarily closing in March 2020, and reopening to the public on June 1, 2020, Mohegan Sun has been at the forefront of making health & safety a top priority as well as assisting on important community efforts. During the spring and summer of this year, the Mohegan Tribe and Mohegan Sun teamed up with the Connecticut National Guard to serve as Connecticut’s Region 4 PPE distribution site. N95 masks, gloves, sanitizer and more were distributed to public health teams and medical services in surrounding towns, from the 125,000 square-foot Earth Expo center.
In the last few months and still on-going, Mohegan Sun struck major deals with Bellator MMA, SHOWTIME Boxing and the NCAA, to create bubble atmospheres for athletes to safely compete, often to national TV audiences. These events have taken place primarily in Mohegan Sun Arena, without fans in attendance. The successful execution of these sporting residencies is in large part due to the invaluable work and guidance provided by the medical professionals with the Mohegan Tribal Health Department and Yale New Haven Health.
ABOUT YALE NEW HAVEN HEALTH (YNHHS), the largest and most comprehensive healthcare system in Connecticut, is recognized for advanced clinical care, quality, service, cost effectiveness and commitment to improving the health status of the communities it serves. YNHHS includes five hospitals – Bridgeport, Greenwich, Lawrence + Memorial, Westerly and Yale New Haven hospitals, several specialty networks and Northeast Medical Group, a non-profit medical foundation with several hundred community-based and hospital-employed physicians. YNHHS is affiliated with Yale University and YSM’s clinical physician practice, Yale Medicine, which is the largest academic multi-specialty practice in New England. YNHHS and Yale partner on clinical care, education and research, bringing the latest discoveries, technology and therapies to patients. www.ynhhs.org
ABOUT THE MOHEGAN TRIBE
The Mohegan Tribe was founded on the banks of southeastern Connecticut’s Thames River by Chief Uncas in the early 17th century. The Tribal Council serves as the leadership for the sovereign nation, and also serves as the Management Board for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) in regard to the Tribe’s gaming properties and interests. After its federal recognition in 1994, the Tribe opened the world-class Mohegan Sun on its reservation land in Uncasville, CT in 1996 and Mohegan Sun Pocono, Pennsylvania’s first casino, on commercial land in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 2006. Additionally, MGE manages Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, Paragon Casino Resort in Louisiana, ilani in Washington State, as well as the Fallsview Casino and Casino Niagara Resort. MGE is currently developing a casino and entertainment complex at Seoul Incheon International Airport in South Korea. MGE is also the owner and operator of Connecticut Sun, a professional basketball team in the WNBA and New England Black Wolves, a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. To learn more about the Mohegan Tribe visit https://www.mohegan.nsn.us
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Owned by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, a golf course, over 80 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun.
# # #
