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FEBRUARY 13, 2001

Reiterating testimony she made at a Congressional field hearing last week, Eastern Pequot Tribal Council member Kathy Sebastian criticized a proposal to give Connecticut Attorney General more money to monitor the federal recognition process.

Sebastian, who is also an attorney, said the proposed bill conflicts the state's 320-year history with their tribe. She also said it would unncessarily delay their rightful bid to obtain federal recognition.

Blumenthal has asked for $1.3 million to hire his own staff of attorneys, genealogists, anthropologists, and social historians to "monitor" petitions for federal recognition. Governor John Rowland won't give him the money so he is asking the legislature to do it.

Under state law, Connecticut recognizes certain self-government powers of its tribes, including the Eastern Pequot Tribe. The powers include the right to determine tribal membership, form a government, regulate trade and commerce on state reservations, make contracts, and determine tribal leadership according to local custom.

Among others, these are also the same rights afforded to federally recognized tribes.

Get the Bill:
AN ACT TO INCREASE STAFF LEVELS IN THE INDIAN AFFAIRS DIVISION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. (Proposed Bill No. 873)

Get the Story:
Eastern Pequots say funding bill ruse for opposing recognition (The New London Day 2/15)

Relevant Links:
Indians, Connecticut State Statutes - www.cslib.org////statutes/title47/t47-p6.htm#I1

Related Stories:
EDITORIAL: Exaggeration fuels tribal debate (The Talking Circle 2/14)
EDITORIAL: Its everyone else's fault (The Talking Circle2/13)
Recognition, trust lands focus of hearing (Tribal Law 2/12)