Hearings begin on land claim for casinos settlement

Monday, February 28, 2005  

The New York Legislature is holding its first hearing today on legislation to settle five tribal land claims for casinos in the Catskills.

Gov. George Pataki (R) submitted a bill to end the Oneida, Cayuga and Mohawk land claims with two tribes from New York and three tribes from other states. The details vary but each tribe plans to open a casino in the Catskills, 90 minutes north of New York City.

Among those scheduled to testify is Bob Chicks, president of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans from Wisconsin. The tribe has a claim to land within the Oneida territory.

Not invited to testify is the Oneida Nation of New York. The tribe opposes settlements with out-of-state tribes, saying those tribes gave up their rights when they left the state 200 years ago.

In addition to today's, two more hearings by Republicans and three more by Democrats are scheduled on the settlement bill.

Get the Story:
Hearings to focus on casinos (The Utica Observer-Dispatch 2/28)
Traditional Cayuga representatives decry Pataki land claims deal (Indian Country Today 2/25)