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Uncertainty remains over whether Mashpee Wampanoag will revive land suit
250 Tribe members, Scott Ferson of Liberty Square Group attend
By Peter Kenney
According to Mashpee Town Manager Joyce Mason, the two issues to be addressed in the agreement are gaming and possible revival of the 30-year-old land suit brought by Wampanoag descendants to establish their claim to more than 15,000 acres in Mashpee.So many people were expected at the tribal council's monthly meeting on Sunday that the council made arrangements to hold the gathering at the Mashpee High School. At least 250 tribe members attended on Sunday, according to some of those on hand.
Also attending were attorney William McDermott and tribal spokesman Scott Ferson of the Liberty Square Group, a lobbying firm with headquarters in Boston. This reporter waited in the parking lot at the high school throughout the meeting and saw it end at 4 p.m.
Since he replaced Glenn Marshall as chairman of the tribal council, Shawn Hendricks has been widely quoted as saying that his two immediate tasks were to place land the tribe's investors have purchased in Middleboro into federal trust and to complete tribal council approval of an agreement sought by the Town of Mashpee.
According to Mashpee town manager Joyce Mason, the two issues to be addressed in the agreement are gaming and possible revival of the 30-year-old land suit brought by Wampanaog descendants to ownership of more than 15,000 acres in Mashpee.
Marshall, it is charged by some within the tribe, has been using outside attorneys to negotiate the agreement secretly with the town, not allowing the council adequate participation in the process and keeping the agreement from the tribe's membership.Mason said Monday that selectmen would not have a proposed agreement to discuss at their meeting that night. Without the proposal, residents attending the special town meeting on Oct. 1 would not be able to approve the agreement, whereby it had been expected that the Wampanoag tribe would waive any claims to land in the town and guarantee never to pursue gaming operations in the town. Not a few voices within the tribe have objected to this agreement.
Marshall, it is charged by some in the tribe, has been using outside attorneys to negotiate the agreement secretly with the town, not allowing the council adequate participation and keeping the agreement from the tribe's membership, thereby denying them a voice in whether to offer it to the town.
Town Manager won't share details
Mason said Monday that she could not release the agreement to the public because it is still being negotiated. Mason said some townspeople are "nervous" and there is concern about the desire of some Wampanoags to revisit the federal land. Other residents, Mason said, object to any gaming in the town.
Marshall still "in the loop"
The lack of agreement between the tribal council and Mashpee selectmen indicates that at least some of Marshall's plans have been placed on hold.According to sources in the tribe, some members are concerned that Marshall remains involved in tribal council decisions. Marshall was reportedly not at Sunday's meeting, but when I drove past his home on Carriage Shop Road in Falmouth at 4:30 p.m., there was a dump truck in his driveway that I saw leaving Mashpee High School at 4:15 p.m. This driver of this vehicle had attended the council meeting; this reporter saw him emerge from the high school shortly after 4 p.m.; he walked to the truck and drove it away.
The lack of agreement between the tribal council and Mashpee selectmen indicates that at least some of Marshall's plans have been placed on hold. It also means that members of the tribe who assembled on Sunday made known to the council that they want to revisit some of what happened under Marshall's rule. Ordinarily, monthly meetings of the council are sparsely attended, according to sources in the tribe, to the point that they are held in the council's building on Great Neck Road in Mashpee. Sunday's crowd was unusual, and the fact that the council did not complete the business before them must make observers in Mashpee wonder what will happen next.
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26 comments
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As far as I know the shunning is still in effect. The tribe must gather 100 signatures on a petition to meet for the purpose of reversing it. The petition is well underway.
1976
My reading of the issue is that you are partially correct: the original land suit was based on the failure of congress to approve the granting of ownership of property within the "Mashpee District" (now known as the town of Mashpee) to owners other than the descendants of the Wampanoags. So, the original suit actually jeopardized all of those sales/transfers.
This development, the failure of Shawn Hendricks to deliver a final agreement to the town, is a huge change in the whole tribe/town situation. Not one other press organ covered this story. I guess it's easier to worry about Iraq than our neighbors...and easier to become knowledgeable about what goes on halfway around the world than what happens a few miles away.
You have made it to Indian Country!!! The Indian Nation is reading your column... Keep up the good work. Sooner or later the U.S. Government will have to react to what you have been reporting.
I hear you, I wish the English would have stayed out of Ireland too. But.... Why would a "land based person, a guardian of mother earth," wish to build a cement monstrosity such as a casino? Ya know, on the beautiful lands , home to nature in all it's glory. Kind of a contradiction in beliefs isn't it?
~It's not nice to fool mother nature~
You seemed to forget to mention the English settlers and their alliance with the Wampanoags to deter the Narraganset from attacking them.
Many think the greatest long term threat to achieving all of your entitlements, may come from hidden agendas of outside investors & tribal officers, who could STILL easily dictate changes to your laws which would allow them to unfairly siphon-off or redirect future prosperity to which the tribe is entitled! The tribe's future interests may be best served, if you and others put some serious effort into learning how other tribes have had their prosperity hijacked, and making wise choices to keep that from happening here. After 400 years, time is finally your friend again, but it is still the enemy of anyone who would have you rush into bad agreements…
We have never met. Please understand what I say here: nothing I have ever said and nothing I have written here or anywhere at any time has ever contradicted my abiding hope that the Mashpee get whatever is rightfully theirs. Federal recognition was step one. I never apporved of the way the land suit was handled by the courts and I never agreed with its outcome.
I hope the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe gets everything to which they are entitled...and they are entitled to a lot.
In response to your question regarding the lands and its significances – the idea of a casino is based on economics. This will provide thousands of jobs for tribal and non-tribal members. I understand your point and it is valid, but what people must try to understand is, we are trying to establish a platform for our children and the future of our tribe. Its not only a casino, but with a strong financial base we can move forward with hospitals, museums, etc.
Many people were left with both their trust & their pride wounded by Peter's revelations. However unpleasant that was, all parties need to see that as a wake-up call, to make future negotiations about tribal affairs as open as possible, so as to ensure that the greatest number of members share fully in the fairest "deals" obtainable. For that matter, no one on either side of current casino negotiations can any longer claim innocence as a reason for not doing more homework. Certainly, important questions have occurred to me, but they are not mine to ask; I hope you will all carefully examine the experiences of other tribes & other host communities, as well as learning more about the "faces" attached to the fat wallets… Wolitpiyane!!!
Infracsture improvement is a requirement be it housing development or business development.
personally, I am tired of this fight. we need smart growth and this is the way to get it.
The people are coming to this area with or without a casino. Personally, I want the jobs for the people.
What is good for the goose is good for the gander. CORI'S were done to attack the tribe now how about those that attacked the tribe?isn't it their turn to be investigated?
The only hostility I see here is from keesuq's statements. I just don't think Keesuq is doing the tribe any favors touting past history with the white man, and the mother earth approach certainly is a contradiction.
I am for the casino. I feel it will benefit many people and businesses from all walks of life. Sometimes while pondering the grand scheme of things, I have brilliant ideas for new businesses, Perhaps retiring at 48 was too soon! I should come out of retirement lol The opportunities are endless. Everyone needs to work together on this, as it will benefit all. Can we sing "We Are The World" now? *wink* :)
Can't we all just sing....a song that expresses a fair and level playing ground.
Blackcat I appreciate your comments and thank you. You sound like a very sensible person and I do appreciate your perspective.
You were hostile in the post I originally responded to. Then claimed to be sensitive and changed your attitude in the posts that followed. Sadly, now you are back at it again.
My people had a plight of their own which lasted from 1667-2005. I do understand the plight of the Native Americans. I support the quest of the Native Americans to regain what was theirs and I support the casino. You are attacking people that are on the tribes side here. That chip on your shoulder attitude, is not helping you gain support from those that oppose you. Perhaps you might read up on public relations instead of watching Judge Judy.
Thanks Judy and I will take your recommendations and comply. I apologize and will never do that again. You've made a difference in my life. Your right...I have a chip on my shoulder.
I need more of your insults and guidance. Thanks Judy for your wisdom. This will help my tribe advance. Your awesome! Most natives are hostile...remember...I guess you are right...I am hostile. I am waiting for more of your kind insults....more please.
Oh..Susan...I apologize. I did not close out with you appropriately. I want you to have a nice day! Too hostile...I'm sorry...please have a very nice day! You are the expert...yes you are! Susan rocks!
Next time you're gonna make me crap-myself from laughing so hard at your remarks, please warn me 1st, so's I'll be wearing something washable - Deal?
Ho!
You don't have to apologize to Susan like that.....I like you better when you play the role of the "victim".
By the way deltaman:
Wolitpiyane!!!
http://www.lib.unb.ca/Texts/Maliseet/dictionary/index.php?command=listAlpha&letter=w
Maliseet - Passamaquoddy Dictionary
Wolitpiyane. Let's make up. Let's be friends. wolitpiye (2). verb ii 22. it is good news; (something good) it happens. verb-stem wolitpiya-. changed .
I also see you've found the source for (some of) my wisdom (and now intend to use it against me). I think "Wolitpiyane" is a great phrase! Too bad it won't fit on a vanity license plate; the tribe could then award it annually, to whomever was p*ssing them off the most…
Btw, pls. read short artice from 2 days-ago -
"MassINC to hold forum on casino gambling" - I gave you a shout about it then, but you've been missing since, so I don't know if you saw it (probably off cleaning Susan's house, 'eh?) I think it would be useful for some tribe members to attend - I hope that there will be a chance for you to be heard from the audience, but remember - Wolitpiyane!!!
:-)
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About This Blog
WampaGate is a blog written and edited by Cape Cod blogger & TV personality Peter Kenney whose television show and Gadfly blog are well known. He writes here about issues affecting the Wampanoag Tribe of Mashpee. Issues which seem to be left out of the ever-shrinking "old media." His previous columns and stories are archived here. Peter invites information and will treat it "off the record" if asked. Email him at peter@capecodtoday.com.
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Western Mass. group to study casino impact
It may take considerable patience & wisdom on the part of these council members, to find the optimal balance between acknowledging & incorporating diverse viewpoints, while still moving forward on opportunities "in play" at this time. However, if the council doesn't even try to meet that challenge, their credibility is likely to suffer to a point that they're not able to move forward anyway. This is not a small challenge, to be sure!