Back home after attending their first schemitzun, a group of Bermudians are speaking in superlative terms about their experiences and the reception given them by their hosts, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.

Sixty-five people from Bermuda attended the 'Feast of the Green Corn and Dance', a four-day event organised by the tribal nation. 'Fantastic', 'Great'; it was just like Cup Match, were some of the expressions from the locals.

Retired educator and insurance executive Roderic Pearman, who attended with his wife Shirley and son Michael, said the event was an eye- opener. Some 678 nations were represented; the spreading of culture was broad and shared terrifically by the thousands attending each day.

Other tourists were Dame Jennifer Smith, Alan Lugo and family, Rev. Stuart Lambert and family, Ronnie and Michael Chameau, Angela Todd, and St. Clair (Brinky) Tucker, his wife Lynn and grandson Cainan. Mr. Tucker is a former president of the St. David's Island Heritage Association. It was instrumental in establishing links with the Islanders and the Pequot Tribal Nation.

The Mashantucket Tribe has accepted St. David's Islanders as family, and go all out to extend the greatest hospitality to Bermudians, arranging private tours for first-timers, especially of their museum. It is the largest and best Native American museum in the world.

The tribe has on its reservation four hotels, the largest casino in the world, and two championship golf courses. Also there's a village described as a living educational exhibit consisting of several structures in and a typical 17th-century camp site, Mr. Tucker said. A visit by all Bermudians, whether they have Native Indian ancestry or not, "is a must. It is a very educational and spiritual experience."

Photos by Brinky Tucker show Bermudians participating in last week's schemitzun in New England. They included Mrs. Vynton Astwood in procession; Kevin Watson carrying the St. David's Island Indian flag, and Heather Brangman and Patricia Stines dancing for the first time at a pow-wow.