Narragansett Tribe builds support with new venture

The Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island on Friday opened "Tribal Sovereignty Headquarters" at the site of its old smoke shop.

The tribe is using the headquarters to build public support for two initiatives. One is to allow the tribe to sell tax-free cigarettes on tribal land, and the other is to allow the tribe to be treated like every other tribe under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

The tribe is accepting donations for a legal defense fund. A federal judge is hearing the taxation issue, and his decision is likely to be appealed whatever the outcome.

A state panel studying the state's July 14 raid of the smoke shop is meeting for the first time tomorrow, The Providence Journal reports. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at 1 p.m. in the auditorium of Brown's List Art Center at 64 College St. Jackie Johnson, executive director of the National Congress of American Indians, is the only Indian Country representative on the panel.

Get the Story:
INDIAN TRIBE TRAILER NOW SELLS ISSUE OF SOVEREIGNTY (The Westerly Sun 8/16)
State panel investigating raid holding first meeting tomorrow (The Providence Journal 8/18)