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Gov. Deval Patrick says he plans to meet with leaders of the Wampanoag of Aquinnah but does not anticipate a change in the state's position that the Martha's Vineyard-based tribe is ineligible for casino gambling.

 Tribal chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais announced this week that the tribe had received federal approval to open a small casino on tribal land. She also said the Aquinnah was seeking talks with Patrick on a compact that would allow the tribe to pursue a much larger gambling facility.

 The state contends the Aquinnah gave up their gaming rights in a 1980s land settlement.

 Patrick said during his monthly ``Ask the Governor'' program on WGBH-FM that he spoke with Andrews-Maltais on Thursday and that he respects the tribe as a sovereign nation. But he called the state's legal position ``unambiguous.'' (Associated Press)

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