Wampanoag head sees casino funds fulfilling basic needs
The new chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag expressed hope yesterday that revenue from a proposed casino in Middleborough would eventually raise the quality of life for all members of the Cape Cod-based tribe.
"I hope we, as a council and a tribe, will put the funds into health and education, human services, and housing," Shawn W. Hendricks Sr. told reporters in a conference call.
Hendricks shared his vision for the tribe after traveling to Nashville to hand deliver to the Bureau of Indian Affairs the tribe's application to place both the targeted casino site and some acreage in Mashpee into federal trust. Land in trust would be tax-exempt and subject to federal laws.
In the application, Hendricks cites high unemployment, incomes below the poverty level, physical and mental health, and housing needs among the serious challenges the tribe faces.
Gaming revenues would allow the tribe to provide affordable housing to its 1,500 members and assisted-living facilities for seniors, Hendricks said. Casino profits also would help fund cultural activities, youth training, and more educational opportunities to help "future generations to survive and prosper in the larger society."
Since he was named chairman at an emergency Tribal Council meeting Monday night, Hendricks has been trying to quell a leadership crisis prompted by revelations last week that the former chairman, Glenn Marshall, lied about his Vietnam War record and was a convicted rapist.
Yesterday, Hendricks tried to ease concern among some Wampanoag that the scandal has hurt the entire tribe's credibility.
"We acted as a sovereign nation," he said. "The council took a stand, and now we'll move forward."
Hendricks said he does not believe that Governor Deval Patrick, who is expected to take a position on legalized gambling soon, will be affected by the tribal leadership issue.
"I think he's a fair man, and we'll do just fine," Hendricks said.
He also responded to assertions from the Pokanoket tribe of Rhode Island that it has historical ties to the land in Middleborough and therefore the state should not negotiate with the Wampanoag. Asked whether that may affect the Wampanoag casino proposal, both Hendricks and tribe spokesman Scott Ferson said no one from the Pokanokets has attempted to contact the Wampanoag.
The chief of the Pokanokets, Michael "White Eagle Deer" Wheeden, said his tribe opposes casino gambling. The tribe is seeking federal recognition.
The Wampanoag's trust application includes an extensive history, which says current members "descend from a band of Indians that was part of the historic Pokonoket nation."
With the trust petition delivered, the regional office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs will now notify state and local officials and allow them 30 days for comment on the application.
Michael Roy, the attorney who completed the application for the tribe, said the comments will be limited to anticipated impact on state and local taxes and jurisdictional issues like zoning, since the tribe would have complete authority over the trust land.
Now that the application has been submitted, the regional office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs will select a firm to put together an environmental impact statement. The public will have several opportunities for input during this process.
