The Oneida Nation of New York issued a statement on Monday after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Cayuga land claim.

The tribe said the refusal to hear the case doesn't have an effect on its claim. "The Oneida land claim is valid and continues to move forward," the statement read. "The primary focus for the Oneida People is putting the land into trust."

The Oneida Nation filed its land claim in 1970 over 250,000 acres in upstate New York. The case has already been to the Supreme Court twice, and a related case went before the justices last year.

Local officials believe the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals is likely to dismiss the Oneida claim. In the Cayuga case, the court said the passage of time will be held against tribes.

Get the Story:
Officials see demise of Oneidas' claim (The Syracuse Post-Standard 5/16)
Statement: Supreme Court Decision on the Cayuga Case (Oneida Nation 5/15)

Relevant Links:
Oneida Nation, New York - http://www.oneida-nation.net

Sherrill v. Oneida Nation Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion [Ginsburg] | Concurrence [Souter] | Dissent [Stevens]

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