All seven members of Connecticut's Congressional delegation met with Interior Secretary Gale Norton on Thursday to discuss the federal recognition of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation.

The meeting, held in a Senate office, ended more positively than one on Tuesday. The earlier all-Republican meeting had the lawmakers fuming. They accused Norton of ignoring their concerns that the tribe was recognized without adequate evidence.

Yesterday's meeting included Democrat Senators Joe Lieberman and Chris Dodd. Afterward, the participants said Norton was more receptive and promised to get more involved.

In late January, then-acting assistant secretary Aurene Martin issued a final determination in favor of the tribe. She acted after a staff memo indicated the tribe did not meet all seven mandatory criteria for federal status for all periods of time.

Get the Story:
Lawmakers Meet With Gale Norton (The Hartford Courant 4/2)
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Bipartisan State Delegation Meets Interior's Norton Over �Scandalous' BIA Process (The New London Day 4/2)
Interior secretary calls for review of tribal recognition process (AP 4/2)

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