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MAIN BARNSTABLE COUNTY > MAIN COUNTY FEATURED NEWS > Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission Supports the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission Supports the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

Published on: May 5, 2020

For Immediate Release
Media Contact:  Susan Quinones, Barnstable County Human Rights Coordinator
susan.quinones@capecod.gov
(508) 375-6611

BARNSTABLE COUNTY HUMAN RIGHTS ADVISORY COMMISSION SUPPORTS THE MASHPEE WAMPANOAG TRIBE

(Barnstable, MA – May 5, 2020) – The Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission (HRAC) supports the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe in action against the Department of Interior.

The Human Rights Advisory Commission of Barnstable County, out of respect for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the long, traumatic history they endured, express our extreme displeasure with the Department of Interior’s recent decision denying the Tribe’s right to hold land in trust.

At a time when we are collectively sharing significant challenges and together experiencing a period of tremendous hardship, the HRAC hopes that the Department focuses on the immense value of the Tribe and work to ensure a path of cooperation and respect.

2020 is the year that we commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony.  This history cannot be told without honoring the immense contribution of the Wampanoag people that are still among us. Thus, we urge the Department to initiate a complete review of the denial and engage in the process of reconsideration that accounts for the full history of this great Tribe.  Fairness dictates no other course of action.

ABOUT THE BARNSTABLE COUNTY HUMAN RIGHTS ADVISORY COMMISSION: The mission of the Human Rights Advisory Commission is to promote equal opportunity for all persons of Barnstable County regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, gender, age, ancestry, sexual or affectional preference marital, family or military status, source of income, neighborhood or disability, where unlawful discrimination exists in housing, employment, education, public accommodations, town or county services, insurance, banking, credit and health care.  Learn more at https://www.barnstablecountyhrac.org/

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