Richard Velky, chief of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, and Connecticut attorney general Richard Blumenthal appeared for the first time together at a forum on the federal recognition process.

Velky defended the tribe from accusations of influence-peddling at the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He said the tribe had to turn to private investors to document its recognition petition. The founder of the Subway restaurant chain poured millions into the effort.

Velky said state officials are hypocritical for their stance on the issue. He said they urged the tribe to follow the BIA process but when the tribe succeeded, they criticized the process. He said they told the tribe not to seek recognition through Congress but now they are asking Congress to intervene.

Get the Story:
Schaghticoke Recognition Debated (The New London Day 3/16)
pwday
Forum on tribes illustrates tensions (The Waterbury Republican American 3/16)

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

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

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