Mashpee Wampanoag, 1974-2007

File — Box: 375

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

In 2005 Hart was asked by the Mashpee Wampanoag, a tribe located on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, to review their petition and supporting materials that were to be submitted to the Office of Federal Acknowledgment (successor to the Branch of Acknowledgment and Research) in the Department of the Interior. Because of their unique history and location the Mashpee were long recognized by Massachusetts Colony and State, but not by the United States. In 1975 they filed notice with the Department of Interior that they sought formal federal acknowledgment. Over the course of the next 20 years, they submitted many thousands of pages of materials supporting their claims. During that period the Department established seven criteria. Hart was asked to review their entire set of materials and to make recommendations to the Tribe. Aftr he reviewed and analyzed the materials, located in the basement of the tribal office building in the town of Mashpee on Cape Code, he concluded that the Tribe did meet the seven criteria. In 2006 the OFA issued its report agreeing that the tribe did meet the criteria and after a six month period the determination was made final.

Dates

1974-2007

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.