New York Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, a Republican, apologized for saying tribes make decisions by sitting "around the campfire."

Bruno had criticized tribes for not being united on land claims in the state. "We don't sit around the fire, we sit around a table with the lights and the daylight doing on-time budgets," he said.

Bruno said he didn't mean to offend anyone but Joseph Heath, a tribal lawyer, said he wouldn't accept the apology.

Get the Story:
Tribes: Bruno's apology lacking (The Albany Times-Union 7/2)
Bruno apologizes for 'campfire' remark (AP 7/2)

Cayuga Decision:
Cayuga Nation v. New York (June 28, 2005)

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

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