FROM THE ARCHIVE

BIA foreseeing Pequot recognition delay

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2001

Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb probably won't be able to issue a final decision on the federal recognition of two Pequot tribes in Connecticut to meet a court-imposed dealine, his attorneys have told a federal judge.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs needs more time to analyze documents sent in on the two tribes, said a status report submitted to U.S. District Judge Alfred Covello in Connecticut. Covello wanted a final determination by December 4, but the BIA says it can't possibly make one until next spring.

The BIA had opposed a timeline all along. The Department of Justice, which is representing McCaleb, had filed a motion against Covello's deadline.

Former Assistant Secretary Kevin Gover in March 2000 issued a preliminary finding in favor of acknowledgint the Eastern Pequot Tribe and the Paucatuck Eastern Pequot Tribe, whose members reside on a state-recognized reservation in Connecticut. The state and three towns oppose the tribe's status and filed a lawsuit against the BIA.

Get the Story:
BIA says tribe recognition decision could take months (The Norwich Bulletin 10/27)

Relevant Links:
Branch of Acknowledgment and Research - http://www.doi.gov/bia/ack_res.html

Get Recognition Documents:
Eastern Pequot | Paucatuck Eastern Pequot

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