Interior Secretary Gale Norton has refused to reconsider the federal recognition of the Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe of Connecticut.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs denied the tribe recognition but the tribe appealed. In a letter dated March 18 and made public yesterday, Norton said there were no grounds to review the denial.

The tribe plans to take the case to court. Critics in Connecticut praised Norton's decision.

Get the Story:
Paugussetts' Bid For Federal Recognition Rejected (NBC30 3/30)
Paugussetts turned Back in Appeal Of BIA Decision (The New London Day 3/31)
pwday
U.S. Rejection Of Paugussetts Upheld (The Hartford Courant 3/31)
pwlat

Relevant Links:
Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe - http://paugussett.itgo.com
Friends of the Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe - http://www.paugussetts.com

Related Stories:
Norton given Paugussett recognition case (10/25)
Paugussett Tribe challenges recognition denial (09/30)
Connecticut tribe to appeal recognition ruling (07/21)
State rejoices over denial of Paugussett Tribe (06/15)
Recognition decisions expected for three tribes (06/14)
Investors spending millions on tribal recognition (03/29)
Editorial: Recognition of Conn. tribes without merit (03/18)
J.C. Watts representing tribe seeking recognition (10/24)
Conn. tribal leader decries anti-Indian campaign (02/26)
Denied Conn. tribe considers new round of suits (02/05)
Conn. tribe loses second shot at federal status (01/22)
BIA declines recognition of Paugussett Tribe (1/21)
BIA to issue decision on Paugussett recognition (1/21)
State recognized tribe inks casino deal (12/20)
Conn. lawmaker wants recognition revoked (12/12)
Bill would terminate state tribes (12/11)
Conn. city will negotiate with tribe (12/03)
Conn. tribe awaits recognition decision (11/11)
Conn. tribe gets support on casino (11/7)
Support plenty for tribal casino (10/17)
Conn. tribe withdraws casino deal (10/16)
Conn. tribe disputes casino study (09/27)
Tribe threatens land claims over casino (9/19)
Conn. tribe would settle land claim (8/12)
Conn. tribe pins hopes on casino (7/19)
Friends of tribe rally for casino (7/18)
Survey finds support for tribal casino (5/13)
Rival Paugussett group locked out (4/30)
Mohegan official doubts recognitions (1/30)
Recognition hearing next week (1/29)
Editorial: Praise on recognition push (1/28)
Hearings on recognition bill planned (1/16)
Man claims true leader of Conn. tribe (1/14)