Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe continues meetings for casino

Wednesday, March 14, 2012  

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe wrapped up initial casino meetings with leaders of three communities in Massachusetts.

The tribe has yet to offer specifics to leaders in Lakeville, Fall River and Freetown. But the tribe has promised more details in the coming weeks.

“Our work is still getting the final touches in, the development of our partnerships and giving the report back on what the reception seems to be, which seems to be very open and welcoming in all the communities, and then working on the deadlines that the state law has set up for us,” Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais told The Fall River Herald News.

H.3702, the state's gaming law, authorizes three casinos in the state. The casino in Region C is reserved for "a federally recognized tribe."

Andrews-Maltais believes her tribe deserves a shot at the casino. But some experts say the tribe can't engage in gaming due to its land claim settlement act, which places the reservation under state jurisdiction.

“The fact remains that there is not a law on the books that precludes us from gaming,” Andrews-Maltais told The Taunton Daily Gazette. “We did not give away our rights to game, or our sovereignty, and we have every intention of pursuing that. I read our settlement act all the time, and I have never read that the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head-Aquinnah shall never game, ever, anywhere, under any circumstances.”

Get the Story:
Aquinnah Tribe, Freetown leaders talk casino; make ‘no promises’ (GateHouse News Service 3/14)
Aquinnah tribe, Flanagan administration say little after Fall River casino talk (GateHouse News Service 3/14)
Tribe still isn't offering specifics on casino plan (The Cape Cod Times 3/14)
Gaming policy expert says Aquinnahs have 'zero chance' at casino license (The Taunton Daily Gazette 3/14)

Related Stories:
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe makes case for vote on casino (3/13)