The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts operates on a "shoestring" budget, Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais said.

Andrews-Maltais, who took office in January, said the tribe receives about $3 million in federal funding. About $860,000 is used for basic programs and services and another $920,000 goes to health care.

"Our healthcare dollars are not going up, they're staying the same, but our population is growing," Andrews-Maltais told The Martha's Vineyard Times. "Our service population for education and human services is going up, but those dollars are staying the same or being reduced."

The tribe has tried numerous business ventures though most haven't panned out. A commercial casino, in partnership with the Seneca Nation of New York, could help but Andrews-Maltais isn't betting on it.

""We're waiting to see where the window is at, whether the window is open, closed, or ajar," she told the paper.

Get the Story:
New leaders, new course for tribe (The Martha's Vineyard Times 7/17)

Aquinnah Wampanoag chair prepares for office (11/21)