Opinion

Letter: Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe lacks ties to gaming site

Monday, February 11, 2013

"I take exception, both professionally and personally, to some of the comments made in the recent article referring to my work ("Mashpee Wampanoag's historic ties challenged by some," Jan. 31). Reporter George Brennan utilizes half-truths and unidentified sources to discredit me. At the same time, he does not appear to have a clear grasp of the issues at hand regarding the Mashpee land-into-trust issue.

It is no secret that my research has been performed in opposition to the Mashpee's efforts to gain lands in Southeastern Massachusetts. I do so pro bono on the behalf of the Massachusetts-recognized Pocasset band of the historic Pokanoket tribe. The Pocasset and their descendants have possessed the so-called Fall River/Watuppa Indian reservation since the lands were set aside for them in 1704 by order of the governor of Massachusetts and colonial General Court. The colony did so as an expression of its recognition of and gratitude for their military service in aiding the colony in its time of need during King Philip's War (1675). At least two of the current Pocasset descent lines go back to the original 1704 occupants of the Fall River-Watuppa Reservation."

Get the Story:
James P. Lynch: Reporting on Mashpee tribe story was lacking (The New Bedford Standard-Times 2/11)