The Aquinnah Wampanoag people have lived on what is now known as Martha’s Vineyard for over 10,000 years. During that time, we have harvested our foods, raised our families, and cared for this land to ensure all future generations can live and thrive here on the Island.
These lands — the cliffs, the water, the plants, the animals — are sacred to our people. Our home holds our stories and carries our traditions. It is not just where we practice our culture; it is what allows us to practice it.
Our mindset as caretakers of the land has been passed down from generation to generation over thousands of years. Our ancestors knew that if we didn’t take care of this land and its resources, we could not survive. This is why we are adamant about preserving what is here and finding solutions to the challenges we all face today.
But we can’t do it alone. We need to find ways to establish a partnership between the Town of Aquinnah and our Tribe. If we work together, we can address challenges like aging infrastructure, limited resources and lands that need long-term stewardship.
The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) is a federally recognized tribal nation with a government-to-government relationship with the United States. As a sovereign nation, we have access to federal grants and funding that the town of Aquinnah cannot access on its own.
Recently, our Tribe received a NOAA Coastal Resilience grant to protect our entire community from the impacts of extreme weather and sea-level rise. We know how to navigate these programs and we are ready to put that capacity to work for the entire Aquinnah community.
Our peak tourist season sees more than 100,000 visitors, creating multiple challenges in maintaining public facilities and infrastructure. The Aquinnah Circle restrooms in particular have been an ongoing challenge to maintain. Through a partnership, the Tribe could help improve planning, development, and maintenance of water, sewer and other public utilities in the area.
We could also contribute to the costs of emergency services and the maintenance of publicly accessible lands — a significant benefit during high season, but certainly a year-round benefit for our neighbors and tribal members alike.
This is why a formal partnership between our governments is so important. Our entire tribal council agrees that a partnership with the Town has the potential to benefit everyone for years to come.
By working together, we can bring significantly more resources to bear on conservation, infrastructure, historic preservation and community facilities. We can improve our shared home for future generations.
Kevin Devine is the chairman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).
This article appears in May 22, 2026.
Rooting for the continued rise of Aquinnah! Thinking outside the box on ways to get more funding to the town is key.
Wise words Mr. Devine: Encouraging – and grateful – to see a well thought out plan.
Widen the circle here! The whole island and the state benefit from the cultural heritage and history of the tribe. It’s not just the many day-triippers to the cliffs. It’s the cruise ships, the museum in Vineyard Haven, etc., etc. Grants from the Feds are nice, but what can be reasonably expected from DC these days is anybody’s guess.