Our Circle
“Revitalize 12 Acres” is a campaign focused on getting land back for a traditional pre-contact Wampanoag homesite, and utilizing that space to educate Wampanoag people and the public on our traditional ways. Many of us are familiar with the land we refer to as “12 Acres”, but a breakdown is included below for those who are not.
The land that we are trying to get transferred into tribal ownership, which many of us refer to as “12 Acres”, is made up of three land parcels: Parcel 2 (35 Lake Avenue), Parcel 3 (415 Main St.), and Parcel 80 (409 Main St.). Parcels 3 and 80 make up the wooded areas that abut Rt 1.30 between Dunkin Donuts and Naukabout Brewery. Getting this land back into tribal ownership and utilizing it for an educational homesite will be beneficial for several reasons. It will:
Educate tribal youth and community members on traditional cultural practices
Promote conservation and clean water initiatives
Promote economic development
Provide employment opportunities for tribal members
Parcel 2 is much larger; It too includes wooded areas but also includes the entire pond parking lot and a majority of the beach space. Given this, the fight to revitalize 12 acres is not only to create an educational homesite, but it would also give the tribe authority over the pond.
Over the past few years, we’ve all seen the pond flooded with non-residents who come in and attempt to take over the space. If the tribe gains authority over the pond parking lot and beach space, more regulations can be put in place to ensure that only tribal members and Mashpee residents with the appropriate sticker will be able to utilize the pond.
Given how Mashpee has overdeveloped since the 70’s, preserving what we have left should be one of our top priorities. In order to make this happen, we need a 2/3 majority vote in support of Article 12 at the Mashpee town meeting. The town meeting is taking place at the Mashpee High School on October 16th, starting at 7:00 PM. We need all tribal members and tribal allies to attend to have a chance at getting this article passed.
To participate in the town meeting, you must be a registered voter in the town of Mashpee and must be registered by October 6th at 5:00 PM. You can register to vote online at www.voteinma.com, or complete the Massachusetts Mail-In Voter Registration Form, which can be mailed or hand-delivered to the Mashpee Town Hall.
As a tribal citizen who is able to vote, I feel it is my obligation to our people to come out and support this article. I hope to see you all there on October 16th to revitalize 12 acres and reclaim our pond.
Dasia Peters
