Three Connecticut tribes have spent more than $50 million in the past 15 years in hopes of gaining federal recognition, The New London Day reports.

The Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation, the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation and the Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe all have wealthy investors backing their recognition bids. Two factions of the Eastern Pequots alone have spent more than $30 million on lawyers, researchers, consultants and other costs associated with running a tribe.

The effort doesn't always pay off. The Paugussetts have been repeatedly denied recognition over the years.

Success for the tribes doesn't always mean the same for their investors either. The Eastern Pequots have gone through a slew of backers, some of whom say they are owed millions.

The impact of investors on the federal recognition process is expected to be discussed at an oversight hearing May 11 before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Get the Story:
Who's Fired? (The New London Day 4/24)
pwday
The Price Of Federal Recognition (The New London Day 4/24)

Only on Indianz.Com:
Federal Recognition Database (July 2004)

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