We, the undersigned, wish to express our support for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and join them in their call for action in re-instating trust status of their lands and their right to sovereignty, self-determination, and self-governance on the Mashpee reservation. Currently, due to a Sep 7, 2018, court decision, roughly 340 acres of Mashpee reservation land previously determined to be held in trust by the U.S. government have been placed in legal limbo, with the Department of the Interior refusing to reaffirm its authority over the parcels in question. This decision not only thwarts the tribe’s plans for these lands but it appears to threaten their very status as a federally recognized tribe.
Scholars of the literature and history of Native America and of early America have a special understanding of the role the Wampanoag have played in welcoming English settlers to this Native space and in Wampanoag efforts at establishing and maintaining peace—a struggle that, while not always successful, has resulted in their continued presence and social cohesion in the New England area up to this day. In 1833 the Pequot minister William Apess helped further the Mashpee cause, joining with local Indigenous leaders to bring their fight for equality through the Massachusetts court system, which resulted in Mashpee’s incorporation as a town and their ability to self-govern. The well-worn trail of legal battles to assert Mashpee autonomy continued through the last quarter of the 20th century and resulted, finally, in their Federal recognition in 2007.
In recognition of the historical, cultural and legal justifications for Mashpee sovereignty, we voice our support for the Mashpee Reservation Reaffirmation Act, HR 312, which would reaffirm the status of Mashpee lands held in trust. At the same time, we tacitly reject the cynical determination by the current administration that a tribe coming into recognition after the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act has no clear legal status with the Federal government. This interpretation seems specifically designed to re-open the door to the failed and morally abhorrent Indian Termination Policies of the 1950’s.
We call upon others to #standwithmashpee by
1. Viewing this Save Our Sovereignty message from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
and
2. Completing the Action Steps recommended by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe:
FROM THE MASHPEE WAMPANOAG TRIBE NATIONAL WEBSITE https://mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov
CALLS TO NATURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP
ASK: Please protect the Mashpee Reservation and pass HR 312 THE MASHPEE WAMPANOAG TRIBE RESERVATION REAFFIRMATION ACT
CONTACTS:
Chairman Bishop: (202) 225-0453
Ranking Member Grijalva: (202) 225-2435
Congressman Don Young: (202) 225-5765
Congressman Doug LaMalfa: (202) 225-3076
Congressman Ruben Gallego: (202) 225-4065
CALLS TO MASSACHUSETTS DELEGATION
ASK: Please protect the Mashpee Reservation. Demand the passage of HR 312
CONTACTS:
Congressman Bill Keating: (202) 225-3111 *sponsor of HR 312
LETTERS TO NATURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN GRIJALVA
ADDRESS:
The Honorable Raul Grijalva
Chairman House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member House Natural Resources Committee
1324 Longworth House Office Building 1324 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 205
LETTERS TO SENATE INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN HOEVEN AND RANKING MEMBER UDALL
ADDRESS:
The Honorable John Hoeven The Honorable Tom Udall
Chairman Senate Indian Affairs Committee Ranking Member Senate Indian Affairs Committee
838 Hart Senate Office Building 838 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515
H.R. 312 COSPONSORS
Rep. Kennedy, Joseph P., III [D-MA-4]*
Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]*
Rep. Grijalva, Raul M. [D-AZ-3]*
Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1]*
Rep. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ-7]*
Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-4]*
Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]*
For more info see also:
Background: https://mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov/standwithmashpee
Brief video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0lYAx5T5c
#standwithmashpee: https://mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov/standwithmashpee