NOMSG (not on my sacred ground)

In a letter to federal officials, both the Mashpee and Aquinnah tribes object to the government's contention that the Cape Wind project will have only minimal impact on historic or cultural lands. The tribes argue that Horseshoe shoal was ancient fishing grounds and may even have been a burial site.

"Both the Aquinnah and Mashpee tribes say their ancestors hunted and fished from Horseshoe Shoal, which was once dry land. They contend that archeological digs showing plant life prove the shoal was once native land and may even be a burial site."

In an article in today's CCTimes, tribal officials are quoted as saying that the proposed area for the 130 wind turbines is, "essential to [the tribes] spiritual well-being." Ted Kennedy tried the same argument and they labeled it NIMBYism. The MMS, the permitting agency for the project, visited the tribe back in 07 but it seems that tribal leaders worry they did not make a big enough impression. The Aquinnah extended an invitation to this Saturday's Moshup pageant but MMS officials canceled plans to attend. Bettina Washington, historic preservation officer, tells the paper that, "When you come to the pageant you learn how we came to the island," she said. "This is an opportunity to show firsthand the cultural tie to (Nantucket Sound)."

A previous visit to the island by MMS in 2007 was not adequate for Aquinnah Wampanoag to demonstrate the impact the Cape Wind project will have on the tribe, she said.

"Places of cultural importance may not be directly on tribal lands. They have yet to come here to the Vineyard so we can show them where (the project) does affect us."

America has such a long history of respecting the native people's culture and land, this should be no problem.