Bills that would allow the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts build to its First Light Casino in Taunton are gathering steam in the U.S. House, although not as much in the Senate.
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reaffirmation Act have so far gotten two dozen letters of support from tribal organizations and other supporters. One of the supporters, the United South and Eastern Tribes, represents 20 tribes, including the Mashpees’ sister tribe, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah. Another, the National Indian Gaming Association, represents 184 gaming tribes.
Its sponsor is Rep. William Keating and Senator Edward Markey, both Bay State representatives. The bill would put land in Taunton and Martha’s Vineyard into trust for the tribe. This is the same action that was taken by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, but later undone by a federal lawsuit.
In the House the bill has 18 co-sponsors. However, the only senator to join Markey is Elizabeth Warren.
Many consider the bill an urgency issue because it is possible the BIA could take the land out of trust in response to the court decision that put the Taunton land into limbo.
It is also considered urgent because Rush Street gaming has asked for another hearing on its original proposal for a casino in Brockton, which the Massachusetts Gaming Commission turned down two years ago. The MGC didn’t want to put any impediments in the path of the tribe at that time.
Meanwhile the BIA is holding a series of “listening sessions” with tribal leaders about proposed changes to the process by which it puts land into trust. It includes a proposal for taking land out of trust in response to a court order.
