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JULY 21, 2000

Tribal opposition in Connecticut appears to be growing, as more and more towns join the fight against federal recognition, gaming, land claims, and other related issues.

To keep you informed, here is a quick update of some of the recent anti-tribal actions in the state, grouped by tribe and person.

THE PEQUOTS
The town of North Stonington, Ledyard, and Preston have allied themselves against three Pequot tribes in their vicinity. They have opposed the expansion of the Mashantucket Pequot reservation as well as problems they say arise from Foxwoods, the tribe's casino.

The towns are awaiting a ruling from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the decision of the Department of Interior to take 165 acres of land into trust for the tribe. A ruling is expected soon; the court heard the case in January.

They are also involved in attempting to get the BIA and the Interior to deny federal recognition of the Eastern Pequot and the Paucatuck Eastern Pequot tribes. Both received preliminary recognition in March.

THE PAUGUSETTS
The towns of Shelton Colchester, Kent, Orange, Monroe, Trumbull, and New Milford, have joined together to oppose the federal recognition and land claims of the Golden Hill Paugussett tribe. The tribe has been denied federal recognition but the BIA agreed to reconsider its decision and a ruling is forthcoming.

In the past, the city of Bridgeport has opposed the Paugussett tribe, due to a lawsuit the tribe filed against landowners there. But officials in the city recently said they would support their federal recognition in exchange for a casino.

THE SCHAGHTICOKE
The town of Kent recently held a forum on issues related to the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation. The town hasn't developed a firm position on the tribe, who have motioned to intervene in the Paugussett recognition in order to force the BIA to make a decision on their petition as soon as possible.

THE MOHEGANS
The town of Montville seems to live happily with its neighbor, the Mohegan Tribe. During the Kent forum, the mayor said they have had nothing but a positive relationship with the tribe.

JEFF BENEDICT
Benedict is still trying to sell copies of his book Without Reservation. Apparently, he will appear on Court TV to debate no one about the tribe's alleged lack of connection to the historical tribe and the fleecing of Congress during the passage of the 1983 Mashantucket Pequot Settlement Act.

RICHARD BLUMENTHAL
Connecticut's Attorney General, Blumenthal is the only state official who appears to have read carefully the BIA regulations regarding the federal recognition process and properly requested a formal meeting with the BIA to discuss the petitions of the two aforementioned Pequot tribes.

Blumenthal also wants the BIA to stop recognizing tribes altogether while the Bureau responds to his needs and until an independent commission can examine the process. In his most recent letter to the BIA, he asked Kevin Gover to recuse himself from further decisions affecting the two tribes and the Schaghticoke.

Only on Indianz.Com:
Without Reservation (Arts and Entertainment 5/5)
Federal Recognition (Tribal Law 5/17)

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