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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2001

Former Assistant Secretary Kevin Gover defended his controversial federal recognition decision during an appearance on Native America Calling on Thursday.

As Gover previously told Indianz.Com, he and the staff that handles recognition petitions had a number of disagreements over tribal groups. His staff recommended two Pequot tribes in Connecticut and the Little Shell Chippewa of Montana not receive recognition but Gover decided otherwise.

The staff also recommended the Chinook Nation of Washington not receive final recognition but Gover decided against them. The Nipmuc Nation of Massachusetts and the Duwamish Tribe of Washington also got the thumbs down, but acting Assistant Secretary Mike Anderson in January extended recognition to both -- until new Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb reversed the decisions.

Native America Calling is broadcast every weekday.

Get the Story:
Gover defends his role in recognition of tribes (The New London Day 10/26)

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

Related Stories:
Gover takes on recognition (10/25)
Norton urged to uphold recognition (10/11)
Chinook Nation faces reversal (10/3)
McCaleb reverses Clinton recognitions (9/28)
McCaleb to listen 'closely' to recognition experts (8/9)
McCaleb decision sure to draw scrutiny (7/31)
BIA pushed to provide 'answers' on recognition (7/26)
BIA has small goal for big problem (5/22)
Norton won't review Chinook recognition (3/20)
Chinook Nation eager to tell story (3/2)
Gover reverses Chinook decision (1/04)

Blasts from the Past - Indianz.Com Recognition Classics:
Recognition findings a departure (8/16)
Decisions put Gover in the middle (08/16)
Gover wants BIA out of nastiness (05/25)
Town: Gover a 'mockery' (5/25)