Narragansett Tribe Gets Free Access To Town Beach

NARRAGANSETT, RI — After a heated public comment last hours, the Narragansett Town Council voted to give tribal members free access to the town beach this summer.

The council voted 3-2 Monday in favor of letting about 3,000 Narragansett Indian Tribe members to get seasonal passes at not cost. The measure does not include parking costs, town council members said.

During the meeting, tribal members said it's not fair that they have to pay to access the beach, given the history of colonialism.

"It's not about recreation for us or sunbathing," tribal member Bella Noka said. "That is our church. That is where we go to 'Grandfather Ocean' in ceremony. We are not asking you for beach access. We are not asking you for parking. You are returning what you have taken and stolen."

Others said the measure isn't fair to taxpayers who have to pay $12 per day to access the beach or $25 for a season pass.

"To give a blanket 3,000, I don't care who it is, but if you're going to give anyone a free pass, it should be the taxpayers of this town, because we pay the taxes," resident Joe Cardello said.