Norton threatened with firing over recognition

Friday, January 26, 2007  

Former Interior Secretary Gale Norton was told to deny recognition to the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation of Connecticut or face a campaign to get her fired, Indian Country Today reports.

The threat was made by Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Virginia), a member of the House Appropriations Committee and a sponsor of several anti-Indian bills. He said he would lobby the White House and President Bush to get Norton removed if she didn't overturn the tribe's favorable recognition decision.

Norton testified about the threat for a deposition in the tribe's court case. Jim Cason, who eventually reversed the decision, also testified but denied he was influenced by outside sources.

The tribe alleges Connecticut politicians improperly influenced the recognition process. The tribe wants to question lobbyists who were involved in the effort and R. Lee Fleming, the head of the Office of Federal Acknowledgment at the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Get the Story:
Gale Norton told: Reverse recognition or be fired (Indian Country Today 1/26)

Only on Indianz.Com:
Federal Recognition Database V2.0 (May 2005)

Relevant Links:
Schaghticoke Tribal Nation - http://www.schaghticoke.com
Interior Board of Indian Appeals Decisions - http://www.ibiadecisions.com

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