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Mashpee Wampanoag leaders open Taunton "welcome center," say machines will sample gaming; council presses on pilots, PLA and unpaid obligations
Summary
Tribal leaders and their developer partner presented a 2,000-square-foot welcome center that mixes tribal history and operable gaming machines whose inaugural proceeds will go to charities; councilors pressed for clarity on pilot payments, project labor agreements and site maintenance.
Representatives of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and their private development partner briefed the Taunton City Council on Jan. 14 about a newly opened welcome center on the tribe’s reservation in Taunton and about next steps toward larger development.
The center — a roughly 2,000-square-foot, prefab structure installed by the tribe — is divided between exhibits on tribal history and a reception area with operable machines that the tribe described as a sampling of gaming activity. Tribe and partner officials said the facility is a temporary, phased effort intended to introduce residents and neighbors to the tribe’s plans; proceeds from the machines during the initial soft-opening period will be donated to local charities.
“Nu tomas — my blood and my bones is from that land,” said Brian Wheaton, chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag, as he described the tribe’s long historical ties to the region and the purpose behind the welcome center. Vice Chairman Carlton Hendricks Jr. said the facility “is a welcome center … the tribe exercising our sovereignty” and that the tribe self-performed the opening…
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