The Oneida Nation of New York wants to go back to a land claim settlement reached in 2002, tribal Representative Ray Halbritter said.

Halbritter told The Observer-Dispatch's editorial board that the settlement is a better solution than having the tribe go through the land-into-trust process for more than 17,000 acres in two counties. Local officials, and Gov. George Pataki (R), are opposing the tribe's request.

The settlement was reached in 2002 with Pataki. It fell apart after the Oneida Nation from Wisconsin, who were not part of the negotiations, objected. Local officials also balked.

Pataki later reached a different settlement with the Wisconsin Oneidas but the New York Oneidas opposed the deal because it allows the out-of-state tribe to reassert sovereignty in New York.

Get the Story:
Halbritter: Go back to '02 land-claim plan (The Utica Observer-Dispatch 2/16)
Oneida Nation representative says possibility of Turning Stone shutdown is a real issue (The Utica Observer-Dispatch 2/16)
Oneida Indian Nation timeline (The Utica Observer-Dispatch 2/16)

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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