This is a momentous day for our Tribe. We were just notified that the Department of Interior has confirmed the legal status of our land, protecting our reservation for generations to come.

We are grateful that President Biden and his administration, including Secretary Deb Haaland, Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland, and Solicitor Bob Anderson, have faithfully implemented the law and respected the sovereign rights of our tribe to protect our reservation.

To Senators Warren and Markey, to Representative Keating and former Representative Kennedy, to all the members of Congress and the Massachusetts Legislature, the more than 40 tribes and tribal organizations across the country, and the more than 350,000 citizens who have unfailingly championed our cause, we share this day with you.

Most importantly, this day belongs to each and every tribal member. It belongs to our ancestors who fought and died for our land. It belongs to our children who will forever have a place to be Wampanoag.

Today's decision allows us to reclaim and protect our cherished Land and better serve our people for generations to come.

While the injustices inflicted upon us cannot be erased, we can look to the future - a future of prosperity in every sense of the word. We wish this not just for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, but for Tribal communities all across the land.

Ahapây,
Brian Weeden, Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe