"A ruling by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Peter Dorsey may not put an end to a western Connecticut Indian group's push for federal recognition as a tribe. Yet we welcome his application of clear legal standards to this case, which leaves the Schaghticokes' claims in tatters.

The Schaghticokes live on a reservation on Kent Mountain and have been engaged in a 27-year struggle for federal recognition. The Bureau of Indian Affairs gave it to them in 2004, but the decision was overturned a year later.

With the aid of millions of dollars from Subway restaurants founder Fred DeLuca, the Schaghticokes have been fighting to restore that recognition. They blame the reversal on improper political pressure from a bipartisan coalition that includes Gov. M. Jodi Rell, state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and members of Connecticut's congressional delegation.

The stakes are high. Federal recognition would buttress the tribe's claim to an adjoining 2,000 acres. Opponents believe it would also lead to construction of an Indian casino in western Connecticut, the state's third.

Judge Dorsey's recent decision acknowledges the political opposition to the Schaghticokes' claim. But he says the Schaghticokes failed to convince him it killed their chances for recognition."

Get the Story:
Editorial: A Welcome Ruling (The Hartford Courant 9/8)
pwday

Another Opinion:
Editorial: Tribe could have presented problems (The Stamford Advocate 9/6)

Related Stories:
Editorial: No recognition for Schaghticoke Tribe (9/2)
Schaghticoke recognition appeal considered (8/28)
Judge rejects Schaghticoke bid for recognition (8/27)
Schaghticoke chief seeks meeting with Bush (4/25)