More than 120 people spoke at a five-hour public hearing on the Oneida Nation's land-into-trust application.

About 800 people attended, The Syracuse Post-Standard reported. At least half were tribal employees, who wore t-shirts that read "My job my vote," the paper said.

The employees cited the tribe's contributions to the economy. "I don't have a job anymore - I have a career. I owe it all to the Oneida Indian Nation," said Robert Wielt, the paper reported.

Local officials and other residents, however, opposed the acquisition of land. They cited the impact on taxation and jurisdiction.

The tribe owns more than 17,000 acre in two counties. The land-into-trust application was filed after the U.S. Supreme Court endorsed the process as a way to regain sovereignty over ancestral lands.

Get the Story:
Views Aired on Land Trust (The Syracuse Post-Standard 12/15)

Draft Environmental Impact Statement:
Oneida Nation of New York Conveyance of Lands Into Trust (November 2006)

Relevant Links:
Oneida Nation Trust - http://www.oneidanationtrust.com
Indian Nation Fee-to-Trust Land Acquisition Applications in New York State - http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/ogc/lands.html
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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