The Bureau of Indian Affairs says lands owned by the Oneida Nation of New York are in restricted status, free from state taxation and alienation.

But state and local officials say the BIA has no power to make that designation. A spokesperson for Gov. George Pataki (R) said a memo issued by the agency's Eastern Regional office is contrarary to U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Oneida Nation case that said the tribe has to go through the land-into-trust process.

The tribe has submitted applications to have its 17,000 acres placed in trust. But local governments have issued tax bills to the tribe in the wake of the decision. The tribe says it can't be taxed as a sovereign.

Get the Story:
Indian Affairs says land not taxable (The Albany Times-Union 6/3)

Relevant Links:
Oneida Nation - http://www.oneida-nation.net

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

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