Theresa Hayward Bell

Tribal Elder Theresa “Darnice” Hayward Bell began working for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe in the early 1970s helping to rebuild the Tribe’s community. During that time, Bell served as a member of the Tribal Council and worked on the Tribe’s Housing Authority. In the 1980s, Bell served on the Connecticut Governor’s Task Force on Indian Affairs, and was responsible for managing tribal events and public relations, during which time Bell founded the award-winning Pequot Times newspaper.

Having oversight of the Tribe’s museum and library project, Bell was appointed Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Reparation Officer, and awarded the Harriet Tubman Award from the Connecticut Chapter of the National Organization of Women. As the first Executive Director of the world renowned Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center (1984-2006), Bell’s leadership over the Museum’s development, construction and operation resulted in prestigious Smithsonian endorsements and multiple university partnerships.

Twenty years later, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center has hosted thousands of visitors, scholars and school groups, featuring Pequot history, northeastern woodland tribal history and culture, and the natural history of southeastern Connecticut. Ms. Bell’s legacy conveys her passionate and selfless dedication to restoring, protecting, and preserving the history, culture, and sovereignty of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which continues to influence many generations of Pequots and local tribes, as well as millions throughout New England.