Law
Onondaga Nation makes big filing in land claim suit


The Onondaga Nation of New York filed hundreds of pages of documents in federal court in hopes of keeping its land claim alive.

The tribe went on a researching frenzy after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against another New York tribe in a land-related case. Then, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed another land claim.

Citing the two rulings, the state filed a motion to dismiss the case. The Onondagas hope their evidence, found at the National Archives, the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia and other locations, will convince the judge to deny the motion.

The tribe filed its suit in March 2005, claiming about 4,000 square miles, including the cities of Syracuse, Oswego, Fulton, Watertown, Cortland and Binghamton.

Get the Story:
Onondagas scour past to bolster claim (The Syracuse Post-Standard 11/20)

Relevant Links:
Onondaga Nation - http://www.onondaganation.org

Cayuga Land Claim Decision:
Cayuga Nation v. New York (June 28, 2005)

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

Related Stories:
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Onondaga leader worried about future of land claim (06/13)
Another land claim denied by Supreme Court (6/6)
U.S. Supreme Court refuses to clarify tribal claims (05/16)
Onondaga Nation to continue pursuit of land claim (05/16)
Supreme Court won't hear Cayuga land claim (5/15)
U.S. Supreme Court weighs Cayuga land claim (05/09)
Onondaga Nation forum explores women's role (03/08)
Commentary: Onondaga Nation seeks to revive river (03/02)
Onondaga Nation makes changes to land claim (08/05)
Column: Onondaga Nation clan mother keeps the faith (07/15)
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