Norton was asked to stop recognition process

Wednesday, March 28, 2007  

Several members of Congress asked former Interior Secretary Gale Norton to halt the federal recognition process after the Bureau of Indian Affairs gave a favorable decision to the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation of Connecticut.

In a "fairly emotional meeting" on Capitol Hill, Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Connecticut), Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Virginia) and two members of Congress who lost election in November criticized the decision to recognize the tribe. But Norton refused to act on their demands, she said in a court deposition.

"The members of Congress felt strongly that I should just stop this process, stop letting any new gaming take place," Norton said, The New London Day reported. "The members of Congress felt strongly that I should just stop this process, stop letting any new gaming take place."

Her stance prompted Wolf, an opponent of all forms of gambling, to make a political threat. "Congressman Wolf said he would tell (President Bush) he thought I ought to be fired," Norton recalled.

Eventually, the Interior Department reversed the Schaghticoke decision, prompting the tribe to file a lawsuit, alleging political interference with the recognition process. A federal judge has given the tribe permission to pursue the claim as part of the case.

Get the Story:
Tribe Gets OK To Re-Examine Denial Process (The New London Day 3/28)
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Relevant Links:
Schaghticoke Tribal Nation - http://www.schaghticoke.com
Interior Board of Indian Appeals Decisions - http://www.ibiadecisions.com

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