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Opinion
Column: Tribes just can't come and take 'our' land


"The Sherrill Supreme Court decision has said New York Indian nations must pay taxes on their land purchases or they may face foreclosure.

There's not an automatic sovereignty attached to any claims.

Just like we thought, our land can't just be taken some hundreds of years later. So let's make them pay taxes or face foreclosure before they think of some new ways to steal our land.

After this long-awaited conclusion, neighboring counties rushed to the courts to file foreclosure suits and/or collect taxes from these tribes while Cayuga County seems to be napping. Why the hesitation?

I can't think of a single reason why our elected county representatives wouldn't be falling all over themselves to get back our land or create a new source of heavy cash flow into the county coffers."

Get the Story:
Judy Ducayne: County should pressure Cayugas (The Auburn Citizen 5/11)

Oneida Nation Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion [Ginsburg] | Concurrence [Souter] | Dissent [Stevens]

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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