Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe sticks with casino

Tuesday, March 17, 2009  

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts is moving forward with its casino project despite the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar.

The decision limits the land-into-trust process to tribes that were "under federal jurisdiction" in 1934. But Chairman Cedric Cromwell said the tribe qualifies even though it didn't gain formal recognition until 2007.

"We were under federal jurisdiction as part of the 13 Colonies," Cromwell told The Brockton Enterprise.

Cromwell said the Bureau of Indian Affairs has given the "green light" to continue the land-into-trust process.

Get the Story:
Despite setback, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe pushes ahead with Middleboro casino plan (The Brockton Enterprise 3/17)
Middleboro selectmen want to meet with Mashpee Wampanoag tribe (The Brockton Enterprise 3/17)

Supreme Court Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion [Thomas] | Concurrence [Breyer] | Dissent [Stevens] | Concurrence/Dissent [Souter]

Supreme Court Documents:
Oral Argument Transcript | Briefs