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Oneida Nation wants court to uphold promises
Wednesday, January 12, 2005

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday heard oral arguments in the Oneida Nation's land case. Observers commented after the hearing.

Tribal representative Ray Halbritter said the case "is about whether the U.S. keeps its promises." The tribe says a 1794 treaty setting aside a reservation is still in force. The tribe argued that land it reacquires is Indian Country, free from local and state taxation.

Arlinda Locklear, a lawyer for the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin who argued the Oneida land claim before the high court 20 years ago, said the justices appeared divided on the issue. Justice Antonin Scalia questioned whether the tribe should be able to assert jurisdiction on new land acquisitions.

Scott Peterman, former president of Upstate Citizens for Equality, a group opposed to the land claim, predicted the court would rule that the land is not Indian Country. A county attorney said tribe would face more foreclosures for not paying property taxes if that happens.

A federal judge and the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the tribe, saying the treaty is still in force.

Get the Story:
Supreme Court gives Sherrill its day (The Syracuse Post-Standard 1/12)
Lines formed early to hear Sherrill case (The Syracuse Post-Standard 1/12)
High court hears tax case (The Utica Observer-Dispatch 1/12)
Scalia fears 'chaos' if Oneidas win tax case (AP 1/12)
High court hears land case involving Oneida Nation (The Utica Observer-Dispatch 1/12)

Relevant Documents:
Briefs | Docket Sheet No. 03-855

Relevant Links:
Oneida Nation - http://www.oneida-nation.net
NARF-NCAI Tribal Supreme Court Project - http://doc.narf.org/sc/index.html

Decision in Oneida Indian Nation v. City of Sherrill:
Majority Opinion | Van Graafeiland Dissent

Decision in Cayuga Indian Nation v. Village of Union Springs:
Decision | Order (April 23, 2004)

Related Stories:
Supreme Court rejects two Indian law cases (1/12)
Supreme Court to hear Oneida Nation land dispute (1/10)
New York municipalities pony up for court brief (12/14)
Hearing set for Oneida Nation treaty rights case (11/12)
Supreme Court takes action on Indian law cases (11/02)
Tribes file briefs in Oneida Nation land case (10/18)
Supreme Court Roundup: 2003-2004 Term (07/08)
Supreme Court to hear dispute over Oneida Nation land (06/29)
Oneida Nation sees support in Bush administration brief (06/08)
Appeal planned in Cayuga Nation land rights case (04/30)
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Report: Seneca-Cayuga Tribe has bigger plans in store (04/06)
NIGC accused of 'ducking' casino land issue in N.Y. (03/23)
Judge in N.Y. hears Seneca-Cayuga land dispute (03/12)
Supreme Court asks for DOJ brief in Oneida case (02/24)
Bill would terminate out-of-state sovereign rights (09/26)
Appeals expected in Seneca-Cayuga Tribe's land case (09/10)
Judge to decide fate of Seneca-Cayuga Tribe's land (9/9)
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