Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe celebrates federal recognition

Wednesday, April 11, 2012  

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts celebrated 25 years of federal recognition on Tuesday night.

The tribe filed a land claim against the state, resulting in a settlement that was approved by Congress in 1987. The law created a reservation for the tribe on the island of Martha's Vineyard.

"The full intent was to get federal recognition to resume providing benefits for our people," Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais said at the gathering, The Cape Cod Times reported. "We took the deal with that in mind."

The law places the reservation under the civil and criminal jurisdiction of the state, a provision that has led to some disputes and could affect the tribe's plans for a casino.

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Aquinnah tribe celebrates federal recognition (The Cape Cod Times 4/11)