The Bureau of Indian Affairs might not be able to accept new evidence from two Connecticut tribes whose federal recognition is on hold, The New Milford Spectrum.

Citing unnamed Interior Department attorneys, the paper said it was unclear whether new information could be submitted "late in the process." But the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation and the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation have both said they can address concerns raised by last week's Interior Board of Indian Appeals rulings.

The IBIA said the BIA wrongly used state recognition of the tribes to patch up holes in the record. The BIA was ordered to reconsider the final determinations in favor of both tribes.

The paper further said the Interior attorney called the IBIA rulings "unprecedented" although the BIA was previously ordered to reconsider the favorable final determination of the Cowlitz Tribe of Washington.

Get the Story:
Schaghticoke recognition overturned (The New Milford Spectrum 5/20)

Get the IBIA 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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