Opinion

Editorial: Finally, an end to Oneida Nation land claim saga

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

'It’s understandable that the U.S. Supreme Court decided Monday to let stand an earlier high court decision throwing out the Oneida Indian Nation’s claim to 250,000 acres of land in Central New York. But it’s still ironic.

The justices reaffirmed that the Oneidas had waited too long to file their claim. Too much had happened in the nearly two centuries since the original land transactions took place — property sales, public, private and municipal improvements that have altered the landscape beyond recognition.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who along with Justice Sonia Sotomayor wanted the court to hear the appeal, was the author of the high court’s Sherrill decision against the Oneidas in 2005. That 8-1 ruling found the Oneidas had waited too long to sue, faulting the tribe for trying to rekindle “embers of sovereignty that long ago grew cold.” That decision was cited in rejecting other land claims by the Cayugas and the Oneidas. After so eloquently dismissing that case in 2005, why did Ginsburg embrace this appeal now?"

Get the Story:
Editorial: Consider this: Land claim saga: the end? (The Syracuse Post-Standard 10/19)

Also Today:
Local officials react to Oneida land claim decision (YNN 10/18)

2nd Circuit Decision:
Oneida Nation v. Oneida County/Madison County (August 9, 2010)