Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Appeals to President Donald Trump for Homeland Recognition

Posted on: March 2, 2020, 08:36h. 

Last updated on: March 2, 2020, 10:48h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe in Massachusetts is appealing to President Donald Trump for help in recognizing its claimed homeland in Taunton.

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe casino
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Council Chairman Cedric Cromwell wants President Donald Trump to intervene to help the Native American community move forward with its $1 billion casino project. (Image: Real Wamps)

Last week, a three-judge panel in the 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston upheld a 2016 decision by Judge William Young. That decision found the US Department of the Interior (DOI) lacked the authority to take 321 acres of newly acquired land in Mashpee and Taunton into federal trust.

The courts have concluded that since the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe wasn’t federally recognized when the Indian Reorganization Act was passed in 1934, the Native American group doesn’t meet the definitions of “Indian.” As a result, the DOI cannot take lands from the tribe into trust.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe wants to build a $1 billion casino resort called First Light in Taunton.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) is waiting the final outcome of the tribal dispute. The state agency holds one final full-scale commercial casino license that’s earmarked for the southeastern region counties of Bristol, Plymouth, Nantucket, Dukes, and Barnstable.

Petitioning Trump

Before the Mashpee Wampanoag can build a tribal gaming facility on its Taunton land, the acreage would need to be in federal trust.

Tribal Council Chairman Cedric Cromwell says the courts are failing to provide justice to the Native Americans.

We’re relying on our courts thinking justice is taking place,” Cromwell stated. “Justice doesn’t take place. I need our President to help us. He is the only one who can fix this.”

Cromwell didn’t provide specifics as to how the President can resolve the matter in the Mashpee’s favor, but the tribe isn’t exactly out of options. It can appeal the 1st Circuit Court’s decision to the US Supreme Court, or hope that federal legislation that would recognize the Mashpee’s property in Taunton as trust land and essentially override the DOI is passed in Congress.

Cromwell is inviting Trump to the tribe’s sovereign land on Cape Cod. The chairman says he’s working with the assistant secretary of the Indian Affairs Bureau to coordinate the meeting.

Trump Opposition

Regardless of whether Trump accepts the tribe’s invitation to Massachusetts, the President might be reluctant to support efforts to circumvent the courts and Interior Department.

House Resolution 312, the congressional bill that seeks to recognize the tribe’s land, was introduced by Rep. William Keating (D-Massachusetts). It’s supported by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D), who remains a 2020 presidential candidate.

During the bill’s consideration in the House, Trump urged Republicans to oppose the legislation.

“Republicans shouldn’t vote for HR 312, a special interest casino bill backed by Elizabeth (Pocahontas) Warren. It is unfair and doesn’t treat Native Americans equally!” the president opined via Twitter.

Despite the President’s guidance, 47 House Republicans backed HR 312. The resolution passed the house 275-126. Only two Democratic lawmakers voted against the bill, which has since stalled in the Senate.