The National Congress of American Indians, the United South and Eastern Tribes and several tribes have filed briefs in the Oneida Nation's land and treaty rights case.

The U.S. Supreme Court accepted the case and will decide whether land the tribe purchased in its treaty area is Indian Country. Two courts have sided with the tribe.

NCAI, USET, several New York tribes and three other tribes are backing the Oneida Nation. They argue that the tribe's reservation still exists even though the state took 250,000 acres in illegal land transactions.

The city of Sherill says the tribe's land is not Indian Country and has tried to impose property taxes on the tribe. The Equal Rights Foundation, the state of New York and four counties are supporting the city.

The Department of Justice filed a brief supporting the tribe.

Oral arguments have not been set in the case.

Get the Story:
Support offered in land claim case (The Syracuse Post-Standard 10/18)

Relevant Documents:
Briefs | Docket Sheet No. 03-855

Relevant Links:
Oneida Nation - http://www.oneida-nation.net
NARF-NCAI Tribal Supreme Court Project - http://doc.narf.org/sc/index.html

Decision in Oneida Indian Nation v. City of Sherrill:
Majority Opinion | Van Graafeiland Dissent

Decision in Cayuga Indian Nation v. Village of Union Springs:
Decision | Order (April 23, 2004)

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