The Bureau of Indian Affairs held two public hearings this week on the land-into-trust application submitted by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts. The final meeting was held Tuesday night in the city of Taunton, where the tribe plans to build the $500 million First Light Resort and Casino on a 155-acre site. More than 100 people attended, The Cape Cod Times reported, and emotions ran high "You will hear from the xenophobes, the skinheads, the NIMBYs, the folks who were put off of reservations lands when their leases ended and probably every other hate group east of the Mississippi with every specious argument known to every single tribe that has followed this process since its inception in 1934," said Vice Chair Jessie "Little Doe" Baird, the paper reported. A casino opponent wasn't happy with those remarks. Frank Lagace criticized Baird for speaking the Wampanoag language and for her tone. "Jessie "Little Doe" Baird offended me," Lagace said, the Times reported. “I’m not a xenophobe; I’m trying to protect my home... Her statement was very inflammatory," Lagace added, The Taunton Daily Gazette reported. The BIA is accepting written comments on the environmental impact statement for the application until January 17. Get the Story:
Emotions high at Taunton casino hearing (The Cape Cod Times 12/4)
Tribal official lashes out at opponents at Taunton casino hearing (The Taunton Daily Gazette 12/4)
Mashpee Wampanoag poses $500 million question (The Cape Cod Times 12/3) Federal Register Notice:
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Fee-to-Trust Transfer of Property and Subsequent Development of a Resort/Hotel and Tribal Government Facilities by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (November 15, 2013)
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