Cedric Cromwell
Encyclopedia
Cedric Cromwell, also known as Qaqeemasq (or Running Bear) in Wôpanâak, is the Tribal Council Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts. Elected in 2009, as chairman, Cedric Cromwell is the head of the official elected government for the 1,200-member federally recognized tribe.
and Constance “Lone Eagless" Tobey-Cromwell of Dorchester, Massachusetts, the former Wampanoag Tribal Secretary. Born in 1965, Cromwell grew up in the Dorchester and Hyde Park neighborhoods of Boston. He attended high school in East Boston, where he was a member of the 1983 graduating class at Mario Umana Technical School.
He received an Associate’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Roxbury Community College
in 1993. He returned to school, earning a B.A. degree in Community Planning & Management from the University of Massachusetts Boston
in 2005. From 1998-2008 Cromwell worked at Fidelity Investments in Marlboro, Massachusetts.
Cromwell has successfully gained financial backing for the tribe’s casino development effort from the Malaysian billionaire Lim Goh Tong
and his Kien Huat Realty arm of the Genting Group
. The chairman hired the former U.S. representative Bill Delahunt
to lobby on behalf of the tribe.
In 2010 Cromwell formed and serves as president of the private, for-profit ‘First Light Corporation’ with other members of his council administration. They established the corporation for the purposes of real estate and casino development.
Because the Wampanoag have long been without a reservation, Cromwell is committed to securing federal lands in trust for the tribe. Under state and federal gaming laws, such land is necessary as a sovereign base for the tribal plan to establish a gaming casino resort, including hotels, restaurants, slot parlors and retail shopping. The previous council chair Glenn Marshall had similar proposals for a Mashpee Wampanoag land-in-trust reservation, including the establishment of an international free-trade zone and Indian wholesale banking operations independent from state and federal regulators.
Cromwell has traveled to Washington, DC, to lobby on Native American issues, including supporting the Native CLASS Act to improve education of Native children, and the equal treatment of all Indian tribes by the federal government. He testified before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. He is working to gain Congressional approval for legislation to enable the Wampanoag to acquire land for the government to hold in trust, as they have no reservation in Massachusetts. The US Supreme Court decision Carcieri v. Salazar
, ruled that newly recognized tribes, such as the Mashpee Wampanoag, could not acquire land for the Department of Interior to classify as federal trust land. In addition, Cromwell is working with the Massachusetts legislature to enact enabling legislation to allow an Indian gaming establishment with a tribal preference for the Mashpee Wampanoag in southeastern Massachusetts. Such legislation was passed in November 2011, authorizing the tribe to acquire land for a gaming casino.
In 2009 the Cape Cod Times reported Cromwell was delinquent on more than $13,000 in local property taxes and utility bills.
Biography
Cromwell is the son of James Oliver Cromwell of Yarmouth, Nova ScotiaYarmouth, Nova Scotia
Yarmouth is a town and fishing port located on the Gulf of Maine in rural southwestern Nova Scotia, Canada. It is the shire town of Yarmouth County. The town is located in the heart of the world's largest lobster fishing grounds and has Canada's highest lobster catch.- History :The townsite may...
and Constance “Lone Eagless" Tobey-Cromwell of Dorchester, Massachusetts, the former Wampanoag Tribal Secretary. Born in 1965, Cromwell grew up in the Dorchester and Hyde Park neighborhoods of Boston. He attended high school in East Boston, where he was a member of the 1983 graduating class at Mario Umana Technical School.
He received an Associate’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Roxbury Community College
Roxbury Community College
Roxbury Community College is a community college in the Roxbury Crossing neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. RCC offers associate degrees in arts, and sciences, as well as certificates...
in 1993. He returned to school, earning a B.A. degree in Community Planning & Management from the University of Massachusetts Boston
University of Massachusetts Boston
The University of Massachusetts Boston, also known as UMass Boston, is an urban public research university and the second largest campus in the five-campus University of Massachusetts system. The university is located on on Harbor Point in the City of Boston, Massachusetts, United States...
in 2005. From 1998-2008 Cromwell worked at Fidelity Investments in Marlboro, Massachusetts.
Tribal activities
Cromwell was formally entered onto the Mashpee Wampanoag tribal membership rolls in 2006 at the age of 41, based on his mother's having been born as a Wampanoag. He had been elected to the Tribal Council and served for three years before being elected Chairman in 2009. He was elected as part of a reform movement following the resignation of the former chairman, Glenn Marshall, who pled guilty on "federal embezzling, mail fraud and election finance charges".Cromwell has successfully gained financial backing for the tribe’s casino development effort from the Malaysian billionaire Lim Goh Tong
Lim Goh Tong
Tan Sri Dato Seri Lim Goh Tong was a prominent wealthy Malaysian Chinese businessman. He was renowned for his vision and courage in transforming Genting Highlands from an unexplored hilltop into one of the world's most successful casino resorts...
and his Kien Huat Realty arm of the Genting Group
Genting Group
Genting Group is an Asian conglomerate. It comprises four listed entities Genting Group is an Asian conglomerate. It comprises four listed entities Genting Group is an Asian conglomerate. It comprises four listed entities (namely holding company Genting Berhad (MYX:3182) and its member companies...
. The chairman hired the former U.S. representative Bill Delahunt
Bill Delahunt
William D. Delahunt is a former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1997 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Delahunt did not seek re-election in 2010, and left Congress in January 2011. He was replaced by Norfolk County District Attorney Bill Keating...
to lobby on behalf of the tribe.
In 2010 Cromwell formed and serves as president of the private, for-profit ‘First Light Corporation’ with other members of his council administration. They established the corporation for the purposes of real estate and casino development.
Because the Wampanoag have long been without a reservation, Cromwell is committed to securing federal lands in trust for the tribe. Under state and federal gaming laws, such land is necessary as a sovereign base for the tribal plan to establish a gaming casino resort, including hotels, restaurants, slot parlors and retail shopping. The previous council chair Glenn Marshall had similar proposals for a Mashpee Wampanoag land-in-trust reservation, including the establishment of an international free-trade zone and Indian wholesale banking operations independent from state and federal regulators.
Cromwell has traveled to Washington, DC, to lobby on Native American issues, including supporting the Native CLASS Act to improve education of Native children, and the equal treatment of all Indian tribes by the federal government. He testified before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. He is working to gain Congressional approval for legislation to enable the Wampanoag to acquire land for the government to hold in trust, as they have no reservation in Massachusetts. The US Supreme Court decision Carcieri v. Salazar
Carcieri v. Salazar
Carcieri v. Salazar, No. 07-526 , was a recent case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that the term "now under Federal jurisdiction" referred only to tribes that were federally recognized when the Indian Reorganization Act became law, and the federal government could not take...
, ruled that newly recognized tribes, such as the Mashpee Wampanoag, could not acquire land for the Department of Interior to classify as federal trust land. In addition, Cromwell is working with the Massachusetts legislature to enact enabling legislation to allow an Indian gaming establishment with a tribal preference for the Mashpee Wampanoag in southeastern Massachusetts. Such legislation was passed in November 2011, authorizing the tribe to acquire land for a gaming casino.
Personal
Cromwell is married to Cheryl Frye Cromwell. Since 2002 they have resided in Attleboro, MassachusettsAttleboro, Massachusetts
Attleboro is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States and is immediately north of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Once known as "The Jewelry Capital of the World" for its many jewelry manufacturers, Attleboro had a population of 42,068 at the 2000 census, and a population of 43,645 as of...
In 2009 the Cape Cod Times reported Cromwell was delinquent on more than $13,000 in local property taxes and utility bills.
See also
- Deval Patrick#Casino gambling
- Genting Group#Casino and integrated resort properties
- Bill Delahunt#Lobbying