Why does land return matter to Indigenous people? In this episode, we speak with Tai Palermo L'22, Legal Director of the Center for Indigenous Peoples Rights, about the historic return of 255 acres in Bristol, RI, from Brown University to the Pokanoket Tribe.

We explore the legal, cultural, and emotional weight of this moment. What land return and the repatriation of sacred artifacts mean for tribal sovereignty. And how they help Indigenous communities take back control and keep their cultures alive.

What’s next for the Pokanoket land? That remains to be seen. This is a conversation about history, justice, and the ongoing work of restoration.

Resources:

Taino Palermo L'22’s Bio

https://law.rwu.edu/faculty/taino-palermo

Land Transfer in The Providence Journal

https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2024/11/20/trailblazing-brown-university-returns-255-acres-to-pokanoket-tribe-bristol-rhode-island/76450706007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z11----p001740n11----c11----e001000v118108o11----b0065xxd116565&gca-ft=233&gca-ds=sophi

Center for Indigenous Peoples Rights

https://www.thecipr.org/

Raymond Two Hawks Watson L'22’s Bio

https://provcei.org/

Office of Federal Acknowledgement

https://www.bia.gov/as-ia/ofa

NAGPRA

https://www.bia.gov/service/nagpra