The Bureau of Indian Affairs has delayed a final decision on federal recognition for the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians of California.

The BIA was originally set to issue a final determination by October 4. That's been pushed back to December 15.

In November 2007, the BIA issued a proposed finding against the tribe, which has split into several factions. The BIA said the group failed to meet four out of seven mandatory recognition criteria.

"I truly feel that it won't happen," Cathy O'Campo Lopez told The Orange County Register of the pending decision.

Since 1978, the BIA has only issued two recognition decisions for California tribes. Both went against the petitioning groups.

Get the Story:
Fed decision on Juanenos now expected by Dec. 15 (The Orange County Register 9/30)

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