WPRO News
The Mashpee Native American Tribe celebrated Monday after the federal government announced it will recognize over 300 acres of land in Taunton as sovereign soil.
The tribe had applied to have 321 acres of its land declared sovereign in 2007, finally winning recognition eight years later. Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribe Chairman Cedric Cromwell traces his people’s heritage to the land back 12,000 years.
“For centuries we walked these lands, we knew these lands were ours, the land-into-trust process recognizes exactly who we are,” said Cromwell.
The tribe intends to break ground on a destination casino next year. By declaring the land sovereign, the Department of the Interior has given the Mashpee tribe the ability to building a gambling facility without the approval of the Massachusetts State Government.
“It’s a great day,” said Tauton Mayor Thomas Hoye “Since day one this has been about economic development […] so we’re excited this is going to happen.”
The mayor says he welcomes a $30 million investment in highways improvements and looks forward to $13 million in payments to the city each year.
Mashpee leaders say the project will help secure the tribe’s future.
