For the benefit of those of you who don’t know, or don’t remember, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts acknowledged that our fishing and hunting rights were “ancient and aboriginal.” Having attained federal recognition further enhanced the legitimacy of our claims. Why would we need to have the Commonwealth take charge of or alter our rights? The compact that the Cromwell regime “negotiated” with the state is a confusing mishmash of concessions by the Tribe and total lack of protections. Let us refuse the language in the compact.
Here is the 1982 resolution. Click to enlarge:
