After telling Congress to wait, the Bureau of Indian Affairs says it won't make a decision on the federal recognition petition of the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe of Montana until September 25.

The BIA says it needs more time to review the matter. "Because the proposed finding contemplates a number of departures from precedent, the final determination requires a thorough legal review which is not yet complete," spokesperson Nedra Darling told The Billings Gazette.

At a hearing on July 15, George Skibine of the BIA urged the House Natural Resources Committee not to take action on a bill to recognize the tribe because he said a decision was imminent. The decision was due Monday.

Get the Story:
Little Shell recognition decision delayed (The Great Falls Tribune 7/28)

Relevant Documents:
Status Summary of Acknowledgment Cases (September 2008)

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BIA faces deadline on Little Shell Chippewa Tribe (7/27)
BIA near decision on Little Shell Chippewa Tribe (7/16)
Audio: House hearing on federal recognition bills (7/15)
Witness list for hearing on four recognition bills (7/14)
House hearing on four federal recognition bills (7/13)
House panel tackles more federal recognition bills (7/8)
Little Shell Tribe hopes for recognition under Obama (3/5)