The Bureau of Indian Affairs is already behind on its proposed federal recognition timeline, a spokesperson said.

The BIA, in a recent court filing, laid out a schedule for several recognition cases. Among them was the petition for the Brothertown Indians of Wisconsin, who have been waiting for an answer since 1980.

The BIA said it would issue a proposed finding on the tribe in September 2006 but that has already slipped. "That was a projection based on quite a few assumptions that didn�t materialize," a spokesperson told Gannett.

The Brothertown Indians are made up of the descendants of Narragansetts, Pequots and Mohegans who left New England in the 1800s. They were initially settled in New York but were removed to Wisconsin as part of a treaty.

Get the Story:
Brothertown tribe status uncertain (Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers 9/26)

Relevant Documents:
Summary of Acknowledgment Cases | R. Lee Fleming Declaration

Only on Indianz.Com:
Federal Recognition Database V2.0 (May 2005)

Relevant Links:
Brothertown Indian Nation - http://www.brothertownindians.org

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