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Law
Oneida Nation in talks with Pataki over land claim


The Oneida Nation is in talks with New York Gov. George Pataki (R) to settle the tribe's 250,000-acre land claim, representative Ray Halbritter said on Wednesday.

A date for the first meeting hasn't been set, a tribal spokesperson said. But Halbritter said he was hopeful a deal will be reached.

Halbritter delivered the keynote at the annual New York State Gaming Summit, which was held at the tribe's casino. He downplayed the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Sherrill case, calling it "a little hiccup" for the tribe, The Utica Observer Dispatch reported.

In the wake of the ruling, the tribe has been hit with millions in tax bills from local governments. The Bush administration has told the tribe it won't acquire lands in trust unless the taxes are paid.

Get the Story:
Talks could break land-claim logjam (The Utica Observer Dispatch 6/23)

Bureau of Indian Affairs Documents:
Jim Cason / Mike Olsen (June 10, 2005)

Relevant Links:
Oneida Nation - http://www.oneida-nation.net

Oneida Nation Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion [Ginsburg] | Concurrence [Souter] | Dissent [Stevens]

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