The ground-breaking agreement reached by the Cuomo administration and the Oneida Nation of Indians resolving long-standing disputes is a heartening development that should be a turning point in relations between the state and Oneidas as well as counties that border the nation lands. For too long, relations with the Oneidas and other Native Americans have been marked by confrontation and hostility over treaty violations, land claims and tribal sovereignty, particularly as it relates to taxing cigarettes sold to non-Indians. The long-running disputes have stirred resentment and anger on both sides of what have been intractable issues. However, a comprehensive solution reached during intense negotiations over a two-week period promises to end the bickering. The agreement negotiated by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo presents an opportunity to end the decades of litigation over Oneida Nation claims to 300,000 acres of land in Central New York. Although a federal judge rejected most of the tribe’s claim two years ago, Madison and Oneida counties continued their litigation backed by the state. Now, they will drop their lawsuits, in exchange for the Oneidas agreeing to cap their claim at 25,000 acres, which will be put into trust held by the federal Interior Department.Get the Story:
Editorial: Landmark deal (The Batavia Daily News 5/24) Another Opinion:
PAT LANGENDORF: Proposed deal with Oneida Nation seems fair (The Rome Observer 5/23) Also Today:
Halbritter looks forward to brighter era after deal with state (The Utica Observer-Dispatch 5/24) Related Stories:
Critics set for discussion on agreement with Oneida Nation (5/23)
Ray Halbritter: Gaming deal paves way to a brighter future (5/22)
Oneida Nation deal includes land-into-trust and tax provisions (5/21)
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