Artist's rendering of proposed First Light Resort and Casino. Image from Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe remains optimistic on the future of its $500 million casino in Massachusetts. Chairman Cedric Cromwell believes the Bureau of Indian Affairs will approve the tribe's land-into-trust application for the First Light Resort and Casino. The final hurdle is the process is the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar. The ruling restricts the land-into-trust process to tribes that were "under federal jurisdiction" in 1934. The Mashpees didn't gain federal recognition until 2007 but Cromwell told the Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce that the tribe will be able to meet the criteria. The tribe will open the casino in early 2016 once the application is approved, Cromwell said. Get the Story:
Cromwell gives update on proposed Taunton casino at Chamber breakfast (The Taunton Daily Gazette 5/2) DOI Solicitor Opinion:
M-37029: The Meaning of "Under Federal Jurisdiction" for Purposes of the Indian Reorganization Act (March 12, 2014)
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