Here. Highlights are that there has been no decision on cert. in the Culverts case and that the Wampanoag’s First Circuit gaming win will remain in place.
Wampanoag
Wampanoag culture on the Boston Common
While in Massachusetts for the Law & Society Conference this past week, it was wonderful to see recognition of the Wampanoag culture on the Boston Common. It felt like a big change from my childhood, when I’d only rarely hear of present-day Native peoples in Massachusetts.
Indian Fraud Violates RICO
From Indianz:
Three men who created a fake tribe at an Arby’s restaurant are guilty of violating federal racketeering laws, a judge ruled last week.
The “Wampanoag Nation, Tribe of Grayhead, Wolf Band” and its founders filed numerous legal claims against officials in Utah. The targets responded with a countersuit under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Judge Stephen P. Friot agreed that James W. Burbank, Martin T. Campbell, Dale N. Stevens, and Thomas Smith violated the law. He said the men used their fake tribe and other organizations to try and intimidate government officials. The group is not in any way affiliated with the two federally recognized Wampanoag tribes in Massachusetts.
We’ve written about these guys before (here).
Turtle Talk 
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