The Schaghticoke Tribal Nation of Connecticut is asking a federal judge to delay a final decision on its federal recognition in order to allow the submission of additional evidence.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is refusing to accept new evidence from the tribe in light of a recent decision from the Interior Board of Indian Appeals. The board ruled that the BIA relied too heavily on the tribe's state recognition to patch up holes in the evidentiary record.

Currently, the BIA is expected to issue a revised final determination in September. But the Schaghticokes say they should be allowed time to hold technical meetings and submit more evidence.

The tribe had won a positive final determination in January 2004 after submitting a petition in 1981. The decision cited the long relationship between the tribe and the state, which acted as an overseer for more than 300 years.

The tribe is headed by Chief Richard Velky, who enlisted the support of Subway Restaurants founder Fred DeLuca to back the recognition bid. DeLuca eventually poured more than $12 million into the tribe.

A rival group is headed by Alan Russell, who is Velky's cousin. Russell said he represents the true Schaghticokes, a view shared by some locals. "Velky's group are the Casino Indians, and Alan is a Schaghticoke Indian," one tells The Hartford Courant.

The paper is running a special package on the tribe, its internal struggles and its battle for recognition.

Get the Story:
Schaghticoke demand explanation (Indian Country Today 6/27)
A Tribal CEO Stakes His Claim (The Hartford Courant 6/27)
pwpwd
Recognition Twists And Turns (The Hartford Courant 6/27)
In The Mist, He Clings To The Past (The Hartford Courant 6/27)

IBIA Decisions:
Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation | Schaghticoke Tribal Nation

Only on Indianz.Com:
Federal Recognition Database V2.0 (July 2004)

Relevant Links:
Schaghticoke Tribal Nation - http://www.schaghticoke.com
Interior Board of Indian Appeals Decisions - http://www.ibiadecisions.com

Related Stories:
BIA ruling on Connecticut tribes expected in September (06/15)
Olsen won't let Connecticut tribes submit evidence (05/24)
BIA might not accept new evidence from tribes (5/20)
Editorial: Reform of recognition process needed (5/17)
BIA ordered to reconsider two recognition cases (5/17)
Familiar problems aired at recognition hearing (05/12)
Bill against tribe's recognition called termination (04/29)
Federal recognition a costly and risky affair (04/25)
Federal recognition hearing set by Sen. McCain (4/22)
Recognition handed to a 'not well informed' Cason (04/01)
Famous Dave Anderson: 'The bureau needs to change' (2/4)
BIA critic calls on Bush to fire Dave Anderson (12/16)
BIA admits mistake in handling of recognition case (12/09)
Probe finds no wrongdoing in BIA recognition case (09/01)
BIA bashed over federal recognition decisions (5/6)
Dodd calls on Anderson to resign over broad recusal (5/6)
Anderson recused on all federal recognition matters (5/5)
BIA critical of main components of recognition bill (04/22)
Martin predicts hot summer on gaming, recognition (4/16)
Challenges await Anderson on federal recognition (02/26)
Date for House hearing on recognition not set (02/13)
Tribal foes in Conn. want to stop flow of money (02/10)
GAO asked to investigate Schaghticoke recognition (2/9)
Jeff Benedict: BIA out of control on tribal recognition (2/9)
Column: Federal recognition all about 'big wampum' (2/9)
House Resourcess to hold recognition hearing (2/6)
Gover praises BIA for not bowing to pressure (2/2)
Lack of evidence addressed in recognition bill (02/19)
Sweeping recognition reform bill offered (02/07)
At BIA, no recognition of new tribes (2/5)
BIA recognition still hard to prove for some (01/22)
McCaleb delivers aggressive recognition plan (10/03)
BIA role in recognition decisions under review (06/13)
BIA Budget: Doing more with less (3/26)
Bush budget cuts funds for new tribes (3/20)
McCaleb takes on recognition (3/15)
Inside the BIA, plenty of drama (3/4)
Ashcroft urged to charge BIA officials (3/1)
Solutions sought for 'hijacked' recognition (11/9)
Gover: Recognition study 'cooked' (11/1)
Reforming federal recognition (10/26)
Gover takes on recognition (10/25)
McCaleb to listen 'closely' to recognition experts (8/9)
McCaleb decision sure to draw scrutiny (7/31)
BIA pushed to provide 'answers' on tribes (7/26)
McCaleb endorses BIA on recognition (6/14)
Gover's 'activist' legacy escapes McCaleb (6/13)
BIA has small goal for big problem (5/22)