A New York county that received land stolen from the Oneida Nation says it will fight the tribe's land-into-trust request. Gov. George Pataki (R) is also questioning the tribe's move.

Madison County officials accused the tribe of "trying to get around" the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision by seeking to take land off the tax rolls. The county claims the tribe owes up to $1.7 million in unpaid taxes.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Pataki said the tribe was attempting an "end-run" around local government concerns. The tribe should have consulted Madison and Oneida county, the aide said.

But the city that was a party in the Supreme Court case said it is willing to talk. Sherrill City Manager Dave Barker said he has no problem with the tribe's request provided there are negotiations.

The tribe said it wants to work with local governments.

Get the Story:
Nation wants all land in trust (The Oneida Observer Dispatch 4/13)

Get the Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion [Ginsburg] | Concurrence [Souter] | Dissent [Stevens]

Relevant Links:
Oneida Nation - http://www.oneida-nation.net
NARF-NCAI Tribal Supreme Court Project - http://doc.narf.org/sc/index.html

Decision in Oneida Indian Nation v. City of Sherrill:
Majority Opinion | Van Graafeiland Dissent

Decision in Cayuga Indian Nation v. Village of Union Springs:
Decision | Order (April 23, 2004)

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