For centuries, we Mashantucket Pequots have survived, and even thrived, due to certain unique character traits within us: the determination to never give up, and a willingness to embrace new beginnings.

When we fail at something — as each of us do at one time or another — it doesn’t mean we are failures. It means we are given an opportunity to humble ourselves, come face-to-face with a problem, learn why we did what we did, and readjust our perspectives. It’s an opportunity for us to resolve to change for the better and grow wiser in the outcome. We take such opportunities very seriously. And because we do, our tenacity to survive and thrive as tried-and-tested warriors is stirred up within us, regardless of our circumstances.

Day Staff Writer Brian Hallenbeck’s article from Jan. 20 announcing Michael Thomas’s new position as executive assistant to our Chief of Staff identifies a great example of this tenacity — someone who, like all of us, has made his share of mistakes.

Thomas and his brother are intelligent men, gifted in leadership, who have learned valuable lessons from difficult experiences played out in the public eye. Their mistakes were subject to a great deal of public scrutiny from those who don’t know them personally — an experience that very few of us can relate to.

In spite of it all, these men have chosen to own their faults and face hard truths. They served their time with good attitudes, and have paid their dues to society in full. Now, seasoned with wisdom, they are intent on helping others avoid making the same mistakes they did. And as their extended family, we have welcomed them back.

This “second chance” concept is nothing new to any of us. In Connecticut, we applauded Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s signing of the Second Chance Society bill last year — legislation designed to rehabilitate and re-integrate nonviolent offenders into society. We recognize that “permanent punishment” serves no one, but is a waste of taxpayer dollars and contributes to intergenerational dysfunctions that may otherwise be dealt with in a productive way.

Certainly we have all witnessed inspiring stories of redemption played out among Hollywood elites like Robert Downy Jr., Drew Barrymore and Martha Stewart. We’ve been awestruck at the dramatic second chance comebacks of Steve Jobs, Nelson Mandela, and Frank Abagnale Jr.

Throughout New England, we’ve witnessed mayors, governors and even some senators who were justly held accountable for their wrongdoings, with some redeemed and restored to positions of public or organizational influence once their time was served. And I suspect that, at one time or another, most of us have extended our private support behind closed doors to family or friends who have overcome battles against chronic debilitating dysfunctions or addictions, sometimes resulting in legal battles or incarceration, only to help them get back on their feet again.

You see, we Mashantucket Pequots are not all that different from anyone else. We are ordinary people who, for many years, have had to come to grips with the overwhelming weight of responsibility that comes with an extraordinarily public and newsworthy existence. We are people who embrace and extend second chances. When broken, we forgive, learn and grow, and do not fear the process of change. And not only do we understand the value of second chances, we are willing to restore the lost, broken and wounded among us so they may experience the healing and redemption necessary to become whole again.

As for our past errors, poor judgments, immaturity and hard lessons learned, these experiences don’t haunt us, but become part of our cherished arsenal of “war stories”. They are parables of wisdom that add greater depth and meaning to the legacy we pass down to our future generations.

And, quite frankly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Lori A. Potter is director of communications and government communications for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.