Interior Secretary Gale Norton met with Connecticut attorney general Richard Blumenthal on Wednesday to discuss the federal recognition process and the pending status of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation.

Blumenthal asked Norton to impose a moratorium on all federal recognition decisions until the process is revamped. He claims the Bureau of Indian Affairs acted improperly to recognize the Schaghticoke Tribe despite a lack of evidence for certain time periods.

Blumenthal said Norton didn't appear to lean one way or another. But an Interior spokesperson predicted the BIA's decision would stand.

Get the Story:
AG wants freeze on tribe�s status (The Torrington Register Citizen 3/18)
Blumenthal Seeks Moratorium On BIA Rulings (The New London Day 3/18)
Blumenthal Asks For BIA Decision Probe (The Hartford Courant 3/18)
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lumenthal calls for BIA moratorium on tribal recognitions (AP 3/18)

Relevant Documents:
Federal Register Notice | BIA Statement | Richard Blumenthal Statement | Rep. Shays Statement

Relevant Links:
Schaghticoke Tribal Nation - http://www.schaghticoke.com

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