Wunee Keesuq Tribal Family,
Over 40 years ago, our Tribe began the process of securing a small fraction of our ancestral homeland in Southeastern Massachusetts. Today, I am honored to inform the community that federal district court Judge Angel Kelley confirmed what we have all known to be accurate, that the land now held in trust by the federal government is the ancestral homeland of the Mashpee Wampanoag.
On Friday, February 10, our legal team notified me that we had won the case brought forward by the Littlefields in Taunton. Our ancestors are smiling down on us today. We can rest easy knowing our land, heritage, and culture will be protected for future generations.
There is the possibility of an appeal by the Littlefields, but it also will fail. This is our land, and it is something that cannot be denied. We will keep moving forward to build a tribal economy with sustainable jobs and prosperity for our people and neighbors.
Please join me in thanking our Tribal Council for working together to protect our land. I also want to thank our legal team, congressional delegates, legislators who have supported us through this long battle and the Department of Interior for their support and the Department of Justice for their zealous advocacy of our Tribe’s record of decision. Mashpee will shine tonight.
Ahapây,
Brian Weeden
Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
