A federal judge's decision to declare the Shinnecock Nation of New York an Indian tribe is "out of the ordinary," a Bureau of Indian Affairs spokesperson said.

Other attorneys and observers also called the decision unusual. They say the tribe still has to overcome other hurdles before being gaining full federal recognition.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Platt said "a great deal of evidence" confirms the tribe's status as an Indian tribe under the law. But he will call a trial to determine whether the tribe has sovereign rights, free of state interference, on its reservation.

The tribe has applied for federal recognition through the Bureau of Indian Affairs and has been on the "ready" list. An answer won't come for several years due to the BIA's current workload.

Get the Story:
Gaming bid still unclear (Newsday 11/9)
The judge behind the ruling (Newsday 11/9)

Court Decision:
New York v. Shinnecock Nation (November 7, 2005)

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

Relevant Links:
Shinnecock Nation - http://www.shinnecocknation.com

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