Natural Resources Department
Our Mission
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Natural Resources Department is dedicated to protecting, preserving, and enhancing the natural environment and cultural heritage of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Through strategic resource management, conservation efforts, and community collaboration, we work to ensure the health and vitality of our land, waters, and natural resources for future generations.
We want to hear from you!
harbor management plan Survey
The Town of Mashpee is working with the Harbor Management Committee, the Urban Harbors Institute at UMass Boston, and Woods Hole Group to develop a state-approved harbor management plan to guide activities on or impacting the town’s coastal areas and resources. As part of the planning process, the Town is seeking input to help further guide the development of the draft plan.
We invite you to provide your thoughts by taking this short (5-10 minute) survey.
If you would prefer to complete the survey in writing, hard copies will be available at the following locations: Town Clerk’s Office, Public Library, Senior Center, and Mashpee Wampanoag Government Center.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Allison Novelly with the Urban Harbors Institute at UMass Boston at Allison.Novelly@umb.edu. For more information about the plan and the planning process, visit: https://www.umb.edu/uhi/mashpeeharborplan/.
Get Involved
Help us protect what you care about
We are seeking passionate members of the community to join project partners to plan the restoration of degraded sections of 3 rivers in Mashpee and Falmouth.
NRD News and Announcements
MASHPEE WAMPANOAG TRIBE ABORIGINAL RIGHTS
What are aboriginal rights?
Aboriginal hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering rights arise from the immemorial custom and practice of Indian tribes. As the United States Supreme Court said in United States v. Winans: The right to resort to the fishing places in controversy was a part of larger rights possessed by the Indians, upon the exercise of which there was not a shadow of impediment, and which were not much less necessary to the existence of the Indians than the atmosphere they breathed.
Tribes retain their aboriginal rights unless abrogated by treaty, abandoned or extinguished by statute. Since time immemorial, the Mashpee Wampanoag have been located in and have occupied, lived and died in, and survived on sustenance and other means from the land and natural resources of what is now southeastern Massachusetts and eastern Rhode Island. is to provide for the inventory, enforcement, protection, restoration, and management of the Tribe’s environmental and natural resources.
On-Reservation Aboriginal Rights
Indian tribes retain exclusive enjoyment of hunting, fishing and trapping on their reservation lands unless clearly relinquished by treaty or statute. The establishment of a reservation by treaty, statute or agreement includes an implied right of Indians to hunt and fish on that reservation free of regulation by the state.
POH 2024 trip to Umass Amherst
Off-Reservation Aboriginal Rights
Various federal court rulings throughout the country confirm that Indian tribes enjoy off reservation aboriginal rights. Further, the scope of hunting, fishing and trapping rights derived from aboriginal possession continue to be exercisable just as other non-reservation rights are under treaties, statutes, agreements, or executive action unless clearly abrogated by Congress.
NRD Staff
Jason Steiding - Director
Email: Jason.Steiding@mwtribe-nsn.gov Phone: 508-477-0208 x 126
Dale Oakley Jr. – Assistant Director
Email: Dale.OakleyJr@mwtribe-nsn.gov Phone: 508-477-0208 x 138
Lisa Fullerton – Office Administrative Assistant
Email: lisa.fullerton@mwtribe-nsn.gov Phone: 508-477-0208 x 141
Sydney Keane – Field Technician
Email: Sydney.keane@mwtribe-nsn.gov Phone: 508-477-0208 x 151
Kta’n (ahk- tan) Paul – Natural Resource Fellow
Email: Ktan.Paul@mwtribe-nsn.gov Phone: 508-477-0208 x 131
