John A. Peters left a lucrative construction business to become the spiritual leader of the Wampanoag Nation in the 70's. Peters learned medicine from Billy James, his wife Barbara's uncle, and became a prominent Native American spiritualist and ambassador for American Indians throughout the world. 'Slow Turtle' was also the first Executive Director of the Massachusetts Commission of Indian Affairs. Despite the origins of his paycheck, Peters was famous for reminding his employers of the demise of his people. He successfully initiated Congressional legislation to protect Native children in the adoption process and protected scared American Indian rituals. 'Slow Turtle' became a living symbol of the Mashpee Wampanoag identity and despite his world celebrity status he was a Mashpeeian first, loved dearly by his family and tribe. When he died in 1997, "Slow Turtle's" obituary was featured in Time Magazine and The New York Times. You could see him throwing his head back laughing, saying, "Are they talking about me?"