A local leader in Connecticut wants the Bureau of Indian Affairs to hold hearings in the state to discuss proposed changes to the federal recognition process.

A spokesperson for the BIA, however, said that won't be happening. Starting today, there are five meetings taking place, but the only one in New England will be in Maine on July 31.

“The process should be fair, transparent, and open and so far it hasn’t been,” Preston First Selectman Robert Congdon told The Norwich Bulletin of the BIA's proposal.

Opposition is growing in Connecticut to the proposed changes because officials believe it will enable three state-recognized tribes to gain federal recognition. However, all three have already been denied by the BIA.

Public comments on the changes are being accepted until August 16.

Get the Story:
Preston leader calls for CT hearings on tribal proposals (The Norwich Bulletin 7/22)
Federal official to speak on Indian tribe recognition proposal (The Solvang Valley News 7/23)

Federal Register Notice:
Procedures for Establishing That an American Indian Group Exists as an Indian Tribe (June 26, 2013)

Relevant Documents:
Dear Tribal Leaders Letter
Present Version - 25 CFR Part 83 Procedures for Establishing that an American Indian Group Exists as an Indian Tribe
Red Lined Proposed Version - 25 CFR Part 83 Procedures for Establishing that American Indian Group Exists as an Indian Tribe

Related Stories:
Editorial: BIA needs to be more open with federal recognition (7/15)
Tribal critics in Connecticut question BIA recognition proposal (07/08)
BIA asks tribes about new federal recognition regulations (06/27)