Mashpee's Quest for Federal Recognition

The Mashpee Wampanoag Indians are one of the last remaining indigenous groups residing in the state of Massachusetts. They are descendents of the Wampanoag Tribe, the Native Americans that first met the pilgrims at Plymouth Rock in 1620.

The Mashpee Wampanoag have been fighting for federal recognition since the 1970s. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has until the end of this month to decide whether to grant the Mashpee Wampanoag federal tribal status.

Reporter Ian Gray explains why the tribe is keen to get the designation.