Congressman Joe Kennedy III (D-MA) and Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-NM) today introduced the Tribal Reservation Pandemic Protection Act, which would prohibit the Trump Administration from threatening tribal reservation lands in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even after the recent court victory for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the potential of a lengthy appeals process threatens the sovereignty and survival of the tribe. As the Department of Interior considers further dangerous actions against the Mashpee Wampanoag people, this legislation would give the tribe certainty and would ensure no other tribe in the country would face similar attacks.

We all share a profound belief in the importance of tribal sovereignty as a vehicle to preserve and protect our culture and traditions. This is what has driven our people to fight day in and day out to ensure our land remains in trust.

Today, the DC District Court righted what would have been a terrible and historic injustice by finding that the Department of the Interior broke the law in attempting to take our land out of trust. Judge Paul Friedman said in his opinion.

Our Tribe, the People of the First Light, is angered and saddened by the public lynching of George Floyd. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has and will continue to vehemently denounce racism! Systemic racism faced by all people of color across the United States has become all too familiar.

We face it every day we step out of our home to live the lives our creator intended. We must stand together to demand justice and work together to turn our pain into purpose. We must be true allies, standing shoulder to shoulder, asking the tough questions of those in a position of leadership.

As Memorial Day Weekend is already upon us, we are facing many new challenges that are surrounding us in the midst of this new virus and unprecedented pandemic. In order to ensure that we are all doing our part and keeping our people and families safe at this time, we must be sure to remain cognizant and vigilant in our efforts. As you may have noticed the Cape is already beginning to look as it does each year during this time with many tourists flooding into the area.

Lending support of the Mashpee Wampanoag in its fight to preserve its land in trust status, Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), along with other members of Congress, filed a bicameral, bipartisan amicus brief with the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia on Wednesday.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Emergency Management Director Nelson Andrews Jr provided a brief overview to BBC World News on the current situation that native American Tribes are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Director Andrews was able to touch on how tribes have been an afterthought in comparison to states during the nation pandemic.