Clint Halftown is fighting a Bureau of Indian Affairs decision that says he is no longer the federally recognized representative of the Cayuga Nation of New York.

Halftown was ousted by tribal members this summer. The BIA recognized the action and said it occurred within the tribe's traditional governing structure.

But Halftown claims BIA Eastern Regional Director Franklin Keel has overturned precedent and is ignoring the tribe's traditions. He has asked the Interior Board of Indian Appeals to overturn the decision.

“The recent actions of BIA Regional Director Keel threaten the very sovereignty of the Cayuga Nation and would set a terrible precedent of intrusion into intra-tribal affairs by the Bureau,” Halftown said in a press release. “We are perplexed as to why Regional Director Keel took the actions that he did. All we ask is that the BIA respect our tribal institutions and our sovereignty.”

Tribal critics have been upset with the Halftown and his allies have been running the tribe.

Get the Story:
Halftown appeals BIA decision to recognize Cayugas' leadership change (The Auburn Citizen 9/19)

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BIA no longer recognizes Clint Halftown as Cayuga Nation leader (8/23)
Members of Cayuga Nation push BIA to recognize new leadership (7/7)
BIA asked to intervene in Cayuga Nation leadership battle (6/3)
Two council members for Cayuga Nation forced to step down (6/2)