Ray Halbritter, the representative of the Oneida Nation of New York, spoke to the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.
Halbritter blasted opponents of the tribe's land-into-trust application. He showed a photo of Oneida County Executive Joseph Griffo and other government officials at the groundbreaking of the tribe's casino.
Griffo and other local officials are now trying to block the Bureau of Indian Affairs from acquiring the 17,000 acres, including the casino site, in trust. Halbritter said the officials knew at the time that the property couldn't be taxed because it was owned by the tribe.
The tribe submitted the application after the U.S. Supreme Court said the tribe had to go through the land-into-trust process before claiming sovereignty and other rights on its property.
Get the Story:Halbritter: Oneida County officials show hyprocrisy (The Syracuse Post-Standard 6/15)
Oneida Nation leader takes aim at critics (Oswego County Business News 6/14)
Halbritter speaks at luncheon (News 10 Now 6/14) 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:
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