Wunee keesuq Tribal family,

Last month U.S. District Court Judge Paul Friedman in Washington, D.C. stopped the federal government from rescinding our reservation. The Judge has ordered the Interior Department to review the matter and issue new findings. This does not conclude our long battle, but it does put us in a far more advantageous position to protect our ancestral homeland.

In Judge Friedman’s summary judgement on behalf of our Tribe, he concluded that the Interior Department’s actions were “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and contrary to law.”

Make no mistake about it. This marks a great victory for our tribal Nation and for all of Indian Country. Our reservation lands, which amount to a small fraction of our original lands, provide access to our essential services – health care, judicial system, cultural- and language-based education, emergency personnel and housing. Without our land, the services so many of our people rely on would be in jeopardy. 

While we continue the fight, I want to thank the many tribal members and friends across the country that stepped up and took a stand with Mashpee. I am confident that the grassroots efforts, community driven efforts fueled our success in court and will continue to spread the positive medicine we will need as we cross the finish line in the near future.

I am positive that we will see justice prevail and ask that we remain connected as a tribe. Our power as a people cannot be denied.

Kutâputunumuw;

Chairman Cedric Cromwell
Qaqeemasq (Running Bear)