Pocknett has fought non-stop for aboriginal rights. It has been a 20 year struggle that brought progress but not enough.
The historic visit to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal lands by US Interior Secretary Deb Haaland was highlighted by a moving experience at Punkhorn. Buddy Pocknett, chair of the Game and Fish Committee told the story of our struggle to exercise aboriginal rights. Our right to harvest and sustain the fishing methods that keep us alive for thousands of years has been denied. Buddy has been the center of the struggle with state officials over the law. It has literally been a 20 year battle. A battle for Pocknett that included numerous fines, arrests and beatings by commercial fisherman.
But the positive part of the story was the jump start of the shellfish farm that was funded by the Biden administration. The program collapsed under the Cromwell administration and remained dormant until Pocknett, his committee and Vice Chairman Carlton Hendricks, Jr had it up and running.
It was proof that we can take care of ourselves when given the resources. Haaland was reportedly very touched by our story. Thank you, Buddy, for telling our story from the heart.
