The Schaghticoke Tribal Nation of Connecticut is confident that its bid for federal recognition will survive an error made by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, chief Richard F. Velky said on Wednesday.

The tribe received a final determination in favor of recognition in January of this year. The decision reversed a negative proposed finding issued in December 2002.

But the BIA said it made a mistake in calculating the marriage rates among tribal members. Officials said the error may not affect the tribe's case but critics from Connecticut want the decision revoked.

The Department of Interior's Board of Indian Appeals is currently hearing the case. The decision is likely to be sent back to the BIA for additional review.

Get the Story:
Overstated Tribal Marriage Rate Could Derail Connecticut Casino (The New York Times 12/9)
pwnyt
Schaghticoke status challenged (The Republican-American 12/9)
Blumenthal rips tribe data (The Danbury News Times 12/9)
BIA Admits Error In Recognition Decision (The New London Day 12/9)
pwday
Error Shakes Tribe's Bid For Recognition (The Hartford Courant 12/9)
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Blumenthal: Nix Schaghticoke recognition (Journal Register News Service 12/9)
Blumenthal says BIA error should reverse Schaghticoke recognition (AP 12/9)

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

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