The heart of the question -- How are Indian tribes that were recognized by the state of Connecticut for centuries, no longer Indian tribes? -- is not at the heart of the objection. What, pray tell, has been the function all these years of the state entity known as the Connecticut Indian Affairs Council? The state, in fact, has had a long, supportive relationship with its Indian tribes long before the federal legislation went into effect that gave federally recognized tribes the right to operate casinos. Suddenly, some of the Indian tribes became an inconvenience. If the possibility of casinos was not in the equation -- and potential financial complications springing from the lucrative agreements among the state and the casino-operating Mohegan tribe and the Mashantucket Pequots -- would there still be objections?Get the Story:
Editorial: Some Indians are inconvenient (The Connecticut Post 3/7) 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: Don't let BIA water down federal recognition process (3/6)
Connecticut governor opposes BIA federal recognition reforms (2/27) Connecticut politicians want BIA to drop recognition reform (8/30)
Connecticut leads opposition to federal recognition reforms (8/26)
BIA extends comment period on federal recognition proposal (08/13)
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