In a statement sent out Friday, July 31, Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Cedric Cromwell addressed the Secretary of the Interior's decision to appeal a ruling by the District Court of D.C. - a decision that was in favor of the Tribe.

“This action by the Secretary of the Interior shows contempt for the June 5th ruling in the District Court of D.C. Without providing the Tribe with any warning, and without providing justification or reasoning, the Secretary's action unfortunately is consistent with this Administration's constant failure to acknowledge or address the history of injustice against our Tribe and all Native Americans, and its utter lack of interest in protecting tribal lands. This appeal is made even more brazen when considering the disproportionate impact that COVID-19 has had on our community and the toll it has taken on our resources.
The Secretary is out of step with Indian Country and with scores of both Democratic and Republican members of Congress who have called for the protection of our reservation. More to the point, the Secretary is out of step with the District Court's findings that the Department's actions against our aboriginal land are "arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and contrary to law."
While the Administration continues to make every effort to disestablish our reservation, we remain grateful for the support we receive from local, state and national leaders, including our Congressional delegation and millions of Americans across the country.
We will never stop the fight to preserve and protect our proud culture and traditions.”