Town of Aquinnah Joins State in Lawsuit Against Tribe

AQUINNAHAQUINNAH – The Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe is being sued in Federal Court by the Commonwealth in a suit filed by Governor Deval Patrick.

The suit stems from the tribe’s efforts to solidify the right to conduct gaming on tribal land on Martha’s Vineyard.

Beverly Wright served five terms as Tribal Chair and also served as an Aquinnah Selectman.

She said the tribe has the right to conduct gaming but most of the Aquinnah tribal members don’t want it on the Vineyard.

“I think we have the right to game and I think that right to game should be not only on Martha’s Vineyard but in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,”  she said.

Wright said other tribe members agree with her position.

“I don’t want gaming in Aquinnah and 99 percent  of tribal members  that live in Aquinnah and who live on Martha’s Vineyard, don’t want gaming in Aquinnah.”

The Court hearing the case recently ruled that the town of Aquinnah and the Aquinnah Gay Head Community Association could join the suit taking a position against gaming in town.



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