MASHPEE - Today, August 29, 2007, A press conference was held at the grounds of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, where the tribe's new council Chairman, Shawn Hendricks came to address the facts and fiction that have been put out about the tribe since the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Glenn Marshalls resignation as tribal chair. With him were several council officers (Richard Oakley, Desire Hendricks, Cheryl Frye-Cromwell, Yvonne Tobey), elders, and over 120 tribal members showed to support the tribe's new leader. His message: that the economic and social development plans of the tribe will continue to move forward.
grandmother, tribal elder, Ellie Hendricks. Hendricks spoke of the true and immediate needs of many tribal members, health care, gainful employment, improved educational andIn his speech, he honored and acknowledged the elders sitting with him who were among those who began the tribe's fight for federal recogn
ition back in the 1970's. Hendricks honored his housing opportunities, and why the tribe cannot delay their plans to sign the land trust agreement with the federal government on Thursday, August 30, 2007. This is one step closer towards the tribe fulfilling their economic development plans, which includes the development of a 1 billion dollar casino and resort complex in Middleboro, Massachusetts.These plans are contingent upon Governor Deval Patrick's ruling on allowing class III gaming in Massachusetts, which was scheduled to be announced by labor day weekend, but has recently been postponed.
Tribal elder, Eleanor Thaxton also spoke in support of Shawn Hendricks and the Tribal Council, presenting a petition of confidence in the new Chairman and existing council's abilities to govern the tribe.
