The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) is eyeing a building in New Bedford to expand its services and provide jobs to tribal members on the mainland, according to its monthly newsletter.
Tribe chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais announced in the September issue of the Toad Rock Times that “after almost 30 years of talking about it, we have set our sights on a piece of property in New Bedford . . . to house our satellite office.”
About two thirds third of the tribe’s estimated 1,300-plus members do not live on the Island, but are spread throughout southeastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island and beyond.
Neither the location of the building, nor the status or terms of any transaction — either as a purchase or lease — was disclosed. Responding to a request from the Gazette, a tribe spokeswoman said Ms. Andrews-Maltais “does not have a comment at this time in regards to the property.”
In her general membership message in the Toad Rock Times, Ms. Andrews-Maltais updated tribal members about a variety of issues, including Covid-19 vaccines, then announced the off-island plans.
She also said there were additional “potential options” that could open up “many more opportunities,” but it was unclear what those might be.
“It’s been a very long time coming . . . this is the first time that the opportunity, funding and a property have all been present at the same time,” the chairwoman wrote.
“This building has ample space to replicate all of our programs and services that we offer here on the Island,” Ms. Andrews-Maltais said, “as well as additional space for expanded services which could include medical and dental clinic space, child care, after school programs, tutoring and homework classes, computer stations, job training, elder’s activities, meeting space, social gatherings and, if we’re lucky, even meals which can also be delivered.” She added: “There will be several new jobs, ranging in scope and responsibilities. The site also has other potential options that, if we’re successful, will open up so many more opportunities for us to pursue.”
On Island, the status of the tribe’s project to build a gambling facility near its Aquinnah headquarters is up in the air. Tribal leaders believe they do not need to seek local building permits, but federal courts have rejected that position, most recently the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this year. The tribe did not appeal that decision, but has yet to announce how it plans to proceed.
