Gay head wampanoag

This sovereign entity maintains a unique legal and political status, formalized through federal legislation, and engages in a government-to-government relationship with the United States.

Federal Recognition and Official Tribal Name

The tribe achieved formal federal acknowledgment in 1987. The vast majority of these tribal communities were killed in battles initiated by colonists to secure land.

With the European settlers came much adversity for our tribe - disease that virtually wiped out whole villages, systems of government that bore little resemblance to our tribal practices and values, missionaries intent on converting us to Christianity, and private models of land use and ownership that conflicted with our tribe's own communal practices and values.

Today, only six visible tribal communities remain. Our Tribal Council consists of a chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, treasurer, and seven council members, all popularly elected. This creates a dual jurisdictional landscape. Celebrations like Cranberry Day and The Legends of Moshup Pageant are held annually.

A master plan of Wampanoag Tribal Lands was developed in 1993 for approximately 160 acres of the Wampanoag Tribal Trust Land, comprising of parcels I, IIA, IIB, and III. The Master Plan followed several years of investigative efforts and illustrates the present vision of the future tribal community in Gay Head.

The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) and the Town of Gay Head entered into agreement in June of 1995 to jointly provide for the health, safety and welfare of persons on Tribal Lands by providing for the use of police, fire, and medical personnel and resources in the event of disaster, disorder, fire or other emergencies arising on Tribal Lands.

The tribal court system exercises jurisdiction over internal domestic relations and other matters arising under tribal laws within its territory.

Gaming Authority

The scope of tribal authority was tested regarding the tribe’s right to conduct gaming on the Settlement Lands. Even the Wampanoag language is being taught to tribal members.

The supreme governing authority is the Tribal Council, which consists of eleven elected positions: a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and seven general Council Members.

The Council is responsible for enacting laws and ordinances, managing tribal assets, and determining tribal membership criteria. This ruling confirms that subsequent federal legislation can supersede the terms of a prior settlement act and affirms the tribe’s sovereign right to economic self-regulation.