Mashantucket ― Two Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council members began new three-year terms Tuesday following an inauguration ceremony at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center.

Merrill Reels, the council’s treasurer, and Crystal Whipple, both of whom were reelected in November, were sworn into their third and fifth terms, respectively. In addition, Marjorie Colebut-Jackson, a former councilor, began her second term as chairwoman of the tribe’s Council of Elders.

Tuesday’s ceremony was private.

Reels, who chairs the tribal council’s Finance and Public Safety committees, holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Morehouse College in Atlanta, and previously was employed as a table games dealer at the tribe’s Foxwoods Resort Casino. He is a lifelong resident of Mashantucket.

Whipple, who chairs the council’s Education and Natural Resources Protection committees, was appointed by Gov. Ned Lamont to the Connecticut Commission on Community Service in 2019. She previously served three years as council vice chairwoman and one year as council secretary. She has an associate’s degree in business administration from the University of New Haven.

The other members of the seven-member tribal council are: Rodney Butler, chairman; Latoya Cluff, vice chairwoman; Matthew Pearson, secretary; Daniel Menihan Jr. and Michele Scott.

Also sworn in Tuesday were three members of the tribe’s Youth Council: Honey Carter, Jayde Sebastian and Shyann McKeon.

― Brian Hallenbeck