The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts has approved a land-use deal aimed at avoiding sovereignty disputes.

The agreement details how the tribe and the town of Aquinnah will resolve jurisdictional issues. The goal is to avoid court battles like the one that led to a ruling that abrogated the tribe's sovereign immunity.

The tribe falls under a land claims settlement act that grants the state civil and criminal jurisdiction over the reservation. The state courts have ruled that the law also waives the tribe's immunity from lawsuits.

The agreement still has to be approved by the town.

Get the Story:
Tribe Approves Land Use Pact (The Martha's Vineyard Gazette 1/12)
Tribe approves permit deal with town (The Martha's Vineyard Times 1/11)

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

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