Judge dismisses Schaghticoke Tribal Nation land claim lawsuit

Thursday, October 11, 2012  

A federal judge dismissed a land claim lawsuit involving the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation of Connecticut.

The tribe claimed that parts of its reservation were sold without federal approval, in violation of the 1790 Non-intercourse Act. But a key issue was whether the tribe was "Indian" under the law.

Judge Alvin Thomas noted that the tribe was denied federal recognition through the Bureau of Indian Affairs process. That was enough to satisfy the question so he dismissed the tribe's claims to the land.

The tribe remains recognized by the state of Connecticut.

Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, US . 43.47 Acres of Land, More or Less, Situated in The County of Litchfield, Town of Kent.

Get the Story:
Schaghticoke Tribe's Bid to Win Back Land in Kent Dead; Is It the Last Chapter in the Saga? (The Litchfield County Times 10/10)