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Mashpee Tribe Hopes Gaming Profits Will Help Tribal Members

On August 31st, 2007, the new head of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe expressed optimism that the profits coming from their planned casino in Middleborough will improve the way of life for all of their tribe's members.

Shawn Hendricks also shared his hope about the tribe after going to Nashville to personally deliver the tribe application to place the land for the casino and the additional land the tribe bought just recently under federal trust to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

A land under federal trust would be tax exempted and will not be subjected to federal regulations. Hendricks stated in the application that high unemployment rate, income below the poverty level, physical and mental care and housing are among the issues that the tribe needs to resolve.

Gaming profits would allow the tribe to give adequate housing for their 1,500 members and build facilities for their senior members. Gaming profits will also be used for cultural and educational activities for their youth.

Since he was named head at an emergency meeting on Monday, Hendricks is trying to resolve a leadership problem caused by revelations that former tribal head Glenn Marshall lied about his Vietnam War participation and was convicted as a rapist. Hendricks said that he is not worried that the scandal will affect the tribe's credibility.

Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to decide on the issue soon. Hendricks also addressed the issues that the Pokanoket Tribe from Rhode Island should be the one that the state negotiates with. He said that the tribe did not contact anyone of them. The head of the Pokanokets, Michael Wheeden said that they are not interested in casino gaming.

The tribe is currently working on a federal recognition. With the land trust petition personally delivered by Hendricks, the regional office of the Bureau of Indian will now notify the state and local officials and will allot 30 days to the study the land trust application.

The lawyer who finished the application for the tribe Michael Roy said that the comments will be limited to the effect on state and local taxes and regulatory issues like zoning since the Mashpee tribe will have complete control over the land. The public is also welcome to put their input on the issue.

 

Sunday, September 23 , 2007
Victor Copeland