The
Pocasset Tribe of the Pokanoket Nation is welcoming the debut of a non-Indian gaming facility in Rhode Island.
The tribe originally raised concerns because the
Tiverton Casino Hotel is located on a historic, colonial-era reservation. But Chief George Spring Buffalo on Friday announced an agreement which calls for the establishment of a trust to help the tribe reacquire land. The casino operators also will install a monument to the tribe.
“We are excited to work together with Twin River-Tiverton in respect of the cultural and historical connection of this casino land to the Pocasset ancestors of the tribe," Buffalo said in a
press release. “The casino is built on lands that were granted by the colonial government as the first Indian reservation in the United States, and near the site of an important battle in the King Philip War and this agreement respects the cultural significance of these lands, and the historical importance of the Pocasset Tribe."
Details of the land trust arrangement were not released ahead of the casino's opening on Saturday. The facility features 32 table games, space for 1,000 slot machines and an 84-room hotel.
“We’re pleased to reach this agreement with the Pokanoket Tribe with respect to land we purchased for the Tiverton Casino Hotel,” the casino wner said in a statement to The Providence Journal. “Twin River undertook extensive archaeological and historical review of the land and we remain highly confident in its findings. We look forward to a continued good working relationship with the Pocasset Tribe of the Pokanoket Nation.”
Tiverton is located along the Rhode Island border with Massachusetts. Numerous
place names,
landmarks and
institutions in and around the town recognize Pocasset history.
The historic reservation encompasses Tiverton and other territory in neighboring Massachusetts. According to the
tribe, the land was set aside for the family and descendants of
Massasoit, who was a key leader of the Wampanoag people in the 1600s.
The Tiverton Casino Hotel is one of two commercial gaming facilities in Rhode Island. Both properties are run by the same company --
Twin River Management Group. The operators shut down the Newport Grand Casino in order to transfer the license to the Tiverton location.
The
Narragansett Tribe, whose reservation is located in Rhode Island, has been repeatedly denied opportunities to join the gaming industry.
Read More on the Story
Tiverton casino owners will fund land trust, build monument in agreement with tribe (The Providence Journal August 31, 2018)
Tiverton casino owners agree to fund land trust for tribe
(WJAR August 31, 2018)
New Rhode Island Casino Opens, Continuing Race For Gaming Dollars
(WGBH August 31, 2018)
Tiverton Casino Hotel opens to cheers from waiting patrons
(The Providence Journal September 1, 2018)
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