Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe pushes back opening date of long-awaited casino

Wednesday, May 29, 2019  

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe is being forced to delay the opening of its long-awaited casino in Massachusetts.

Two years ago, the tribe won a landmark decision confirming its right to open a Class II gaming facility on its homelands. But opponents on the island of Martha's Vineyard continue to insist they have jurisdiction over the Aquinnah Cliffs Casino.

“I wish they would just leave us alone and let us take care of our tribal people,” Naomi Carney, a council memvber and vice chair of the Aquinnah Wampanoag Gaming Corporation, told The Boston Globe. “That’s all we’re trying to do, is give our tribal members a fighting chance. . . . We were there first. Get off our backs

A hearing takes place in federal court on Friday. The case is before Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV, who previously ruled against the tribe and in favor of the town of Aquinnah, which claims jurisdiction over activities at the casino site.

The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals reversed. In an April 2017 decision, the court held that the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act applies to the reservation, superseding a land claim settlement that had subjected the tribe's lands to local and state laws.

The town of Aquinnah asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the decision but the justices refused to entertain their petition. As a result, the 1st Circuit precedent was affirmed.

The tribe subsequently entered into a partnership with Global Gaming Solutions, a subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation. Plans call for a 10,000 square-foot facility, originally scheduled to open this summer. Carney told The Globe that an opening is expected in the fall.

Aquinnah Tribe struggles with Vineyard vision (The Boston Globe May 23, 2019)
MVC sets public hearing for casino project (The Martha's Vineyard Times May 17, 2019)
Tribe, town set for showdown in court again (The Martha's Vineyard Times May 7, 2019)

Massachusetts v. Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) (April 11, 2017)

Note: Thumbnail photo of lighthouse in Aquinnah, Massachusetts, the home of the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe by m01229

Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe back in court to defend gaming rights (May 6, 2019)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe starts construction on long-awaited gaming facility (February 25, 2019)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe asserts role in gaming talks in Massachusetts (January 28, 2019)
Democrats opposed bill to protect homelands of Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (January 11, 2019)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe welcomes introduction of homelands legislation (January 9, 2019)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe aims to open casino in the summer (December 12, 2018)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe continues work on gaming project (October 17, 2018)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe solidifying plans for long-awaited casino (September 10, 2018)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe lands big partner for gaming project (August 22, 2018)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe still working on casino after court victory (July 20, 2018)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe moves forward with Class II gaming facility (January 11, 2018)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe hails win in long-running sovereignty case (January 10, 2018)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe scores big win in long-running sovereignty case (January 8, 2017)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe in limbo as Supreme Court delays sovereignty dispute (December 11, 2017)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe awaits action from Supreme Court in sovereignty case (November 28, 2017)
Casino opponents ask Supreme Court to hear Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe case (August 9, 2017)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe must wait to restart work on casino (May 23, 2017)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe hails another win in gaming dispute (May 12, 2017)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe sees more opposition to gaming win (April 25, 2017)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe must keep fighting despite gaming win (April 21, 2017)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe welcomes decision in gaming dispute (April 17, 2017)
Aquinnah Wampanaog Tribe scores major win in sovereignty case (April 11, 2017)