Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head

November 10, 1972

Wampanoag Council: Tribe Organizes to Protect Gay Head’s Future

Vineyard Gazette
To assure that the identity of the Vineyard’s Indians, their history, culture and tribal lands will be preserved, a Wampanoag Tribal Council of Gay Head was organized on Saturday, and Mrs.
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head
Wampanoag history

1998

May 8, 1998

It is Official: It's Aquinnah

The Vineyard Gazette
Aquinnah History
Aquinnah
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head

One week after the bill was laid on his desk, acting Gov. Paul Cellucci yesterday signed into law the change that has been awaited by the Island’s smallest town since almost a year ago. The governor’s signature made it official.

The town of Gay Head is no more; long live the town of Aquinnah.

1993

April 16, 1993

Leaders of Wampanoag Tribe Explore the Gambling Business

Rachel Orr
Casinos
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head
The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) may go into the gambling business.
 
Last week the tribal council unanimously voted to pursue gaming as a possible means of making money. The council also decided that any future casino would be located on the Massachusetts mainland.
 
“This is only the preliminary,” said tribal chairman Beverly M. Wright this week. “It’s just something we are looking at, just like we’re looking at a museum.”
 

1989

July 21, 1989

Historic Transfer of Indian Lands Signed

W.C. Platt
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head
Aquinnah History
The town of Gay Head signed the deed conveying the ancestral Wampanoag Indian Common Lands to the federal government yesterday, ending a protracted legal struggle for the tribe with quiet agreement.
 
The face of the Gay Head Cliffs, the Herring Creek and the cranberry bogs will be under the control of the Wampanoag Tribal Council of Gay Head Inc. as the representative of the Gay Head Wampanoag Tribe.
 

1987

February 12, 1987

Historic Ruling Grants Gay Head Indians Federal Recognition

Elaine Lembo
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head
Wampanoag history

The federal government Wednesday recognized the tribal status of the Gay Head Wampanoag Indians in a historic decision that opens the way to settlement of the bitter, 12-year-old land claim dispute.

1983

November 25, 1983

Gay Head Pact Makes History

Michael F. Bamberger
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head
Wampanoag history
The Wampanoag Tribal Council, the Gay Head Taxpayers Association, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the town of Gay Head signed formal settlement papers in the Indian land claim suit last weekend.
 
The signings represent a major step toward final accord in the suit that has divided the town for nine years.
 

1981

September 29, 1981

Gay Head Tribal Council Approves Plan to Settle Land Claim Suit

Joseph B. White
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head
The Wampanoag Tribal Council of Gay Head approved a plan last night that could lead to settlement of the seven-year-old suit claiming Indian ownership of Gay Head town lands.
 
The 115 to 60 margin in favor of settlement of the suit is being contested by a party within the tribe that favors suing for the entire town. But tribe leaders say they will move toward settlement.
 

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