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BIA and DOJ seek to mediate Cayuga Nation leadership dispute

Friday, February 27, 2015

The LakeSide Trading gas station and convenience store in Union Falls, New York, a business owned by the Cayuga Nation. Photo from Finger Lake Times Marketplace

The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Department of Justice are trying to mediate a long-running leadership dispute within the Cayuga Nation of New York.

The BIA currently recognizes Clint Halftown as the tribe's leader for purposes of self-determination contracts. But rivals say they removed him from his position so federal officials are trying to get the two sides together in hopes of resolving the matter.

"First and foremost, the BIA does not select tribal leaders," Matthew Pryor, the deputy associate director of the BIA's Office of Justice Services, said at a press conference, The Auburn Citizen reported. "In the spirit of self-determination, that is for the tribe to do. They pick their own leaders."

The tribe operates a handful of businesses that have been caught in the middle of the dispute. Local officials and law enforcement have been worried about impacts on the local community.

Get the Story:
BIA officials stress Cayuga Nation must settle leadership dispute on its own (The Auburn Citizen 2/27)
Clashes mar Cayuga Nation's return home (The Syracuse Post-Standard 2/27)
Police chief, BIA officials explain Cayuga leadership decision (The Finger Lake Times 2/26)
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Justice Department working to mediate Cayuga Nation leadership dispute (CNY Central 2/26)
The Cayuga Indian Nation will have to continue to work out leadership fight on its own (WRVO 2/26)
Feds tell Cayuga Indian Nation to settle bitter power struggle without U.S. interference (The Syracuse Post-Standard 2/26)