Tribe camps out in Bristol as part of battle over land

By Alana Cerrone

acerrone@abc6.com

@Alana_Cerrone

BRISTOL, R.I. (WLNE) – On a piece of land overlooking Mount Hope Bay sits the PoMetacom Camp, established Sunday when dozens of members of the Pokanoket Tribe settled in to reclaim what they say is their land right.

Right now, the land is claimed by Brown University and is home to the Haffenreffer Museum.

The school says the 375 acres were donated to them over time, but according to tribal leaders, the land was taken from them hundreds of years ago.

"We’ve done everything legally possible to use their laws to get our rights."

The tribe says it’s tried to bring the conversation about rightful ownership to the table, but hasn’t been able to communicate with the University or the government in 3 years.

"We will be here because we have the right to be here, the passion to be here, and the wherewithal to be here."

They’re casting responsibility on not only the University, but on the state to do the right thing.

"I think especially the attorney general’s office – you know the law, follow it."

The University has responded with a statement reading in part:

"Brown expects opportunities for open dialogue with the Pokanoket as the University becomes more knowledgeable about their concerns."

Meanwhile the Attorney General’s Office says so far they haven’t been contacted by the tribe to discuss land ownership.

© WLNE-TV 2017