June 22, 2012 (MASHPEE) The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe was defending historical claims to land in Taunton this week where it hopes to build a resort casino.
            
The Pocasset and two other Indian tribes questioned those ties Wednesday at a hearing held by the federal bureau of Indian Affairs on the Mashpee's land-into-trust application.
            
The Cape Cod-based tribe must demonstrate historical ties to the 146-acre industrial site in East Taunton.            
Mashpee tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell says the tribe had villages there centuries ago when the area was known by its Indian name Cohannet.            

But representatives of the other tribes say there’s no evidence the Mashpee had a presence in the territory.