"Last week's decision reversing the recognitions of the Eastern Pequot and the Schaghticoke tribes is an encouraging sign that some legally defined standards have returned to the often-contentious process. But the rules governing recognition, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs itself, need in-depth reform from Congress before anyone can feel assured that politics and casino interests won't influence these decisions.

It's also important that Interior Secretary Gale Norton agrees with the ruling of judges from the Office of Hearings and Appeals of the U.S. Department of the Interior to reverse the recognition. It appears likely that Secretary Norton will agree with the judges' rulings, for they picked apart the department's original decisions to extend tribal recognition and exposed weaknesses."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Two Good Decisions (The New London Day 5/17)
pwday

Get the Decisions:
Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation | Schaghticoke Tribal Nation

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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