Advertise:   ads@blueearthmarketing.com   712.224.5420

Law
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe threatened with lawsuit


Two town leaders are threatening to file another sovereignty lawsuit against the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts.

The two selectmen in the town of Aquinnah say the tribe built a community center without local approval. They want the tribe to obtain permits for the building or sign a disputed land use agreement that was stalled this week.

The agreement is supposed to address sovereignty issues that arose after the tribe lost a major lawsuit. The state's highest court said a special act of Congress opened the tribe to lawsuits for failing to abide by local laws.

Tribal members objected to the proposed memorandum of understanding with the town at a special meeting this week. Residents ended up voting 36-18 to table the issue pending further discussions.

Get the Story:
Town, Tribe Agreement Stalls at Special Meeting; Future Remains in Doubt (The Martha's Vineyard Gazette 8/25)

Relevant Links:
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head - http://www.wampanoagtribe.net

Related Stories:
Aquinnah Wampanoag agreement on hold (8/24)
Aquinnah Wampanoag agreement set for vote (8/17)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe co-sponsors kids camp (07/11)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe seeks local approval (05/04)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe reaches land-use deal (4/28)
Wampanoag fishing rights an issue under state law (04/13)
Massachusetts tribe, town to start new dialogue (01/20)
Massachusetts tribe, town set for land-use agreement (01/12)
Massachusetts tribe to pay town for public services (07/21)
Wampanoag Tribe faces action in sovereignty case (07/14)
Massachusetts tribe drops sovereignty case (7/11)
O'Connor resigns from nation's highest court (7/5)
Justice's tenure filled with key Indian law cases (7/5)
Supreme Court wraps up October 2004 term (06/28)
U.S. Supreme Court vacancy impacts tribal rights (06/20)
Mixed ruling on state raid of Narragansett Tribe (5/16)
Massachusetts court deals blow to tribe's sovereignty (12/10)
Wampanoag Tribe to appeal sovereignty case (12/10)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe elects new leader (11/24)
Top court hears Wampanoag sovereignty case (09/09)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe plans new buildings (03/12)
Mass. high court to hear tribal immunity case (2/27)
State to intervene in Wampanoag sovereignty case (01/09)
Mass. town urged to appeal tribal immunity ruling (12/05)
Mass. court upholds Wampanoag Tribe's sovereignty (11/06)
Dershowitz: Judge may be wrong on Wampanoag case (07/22)
Mass. town argues for jurisdiction over tribe (7/21)
Mass. judge asked to reconsider sovereignty ruling (06/24)
Mass. court affirms tribe's sovereignty (6/18)
Mass. tribe argues for sovereign rights on land (02/14)