BIA projects new deadline on recognition

THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2002

A federal judge has agreed to allow the Bureau of Indian Affairs to delay a final recognition decision on two Connecticut tribes.

U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello originally set a June 4 deadline for the Eastern Pequot Tribe and the Paucatuck Eastern Pequot Tribe. But the BIA said it won't be able to complete its work until June 25 at the earliest.

The tribes were among the first to apply for recognition under BIA guidelines more than 20 years ago. Former Assistant Secretary Kevin Gover in March 2000 extended preliminary recognition to the tribes.

The tribes are heavily opposed by local towns and state attorney general Richard Blumenthal.

Get the Story:
BIA postpones expected tribal recognition decision (The Norwich Bulletin 5/30)
Years in works, BIA decision put off 3 more weeks (The New London Day 5/30)

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Pequot recognition decisions delayed (5/29)
Funding to fight tribes questioned (5/16)
BIA noncommittal on Pequot recognition (5/1)
Money approved to fight Pequot tribes (4/23)
Towns complain about Gover again (4/16)
Pequot recognition speculated (3/29)
Money budgeted to fight tribes (3/14)
Rejection of Pequot tribes sought (3/8)
Towns really opposed to Pequot tribes (3/1)
Towns to discuss Pequot recognitions (2/27)
Tribal foes say Indians can't own land (2/15)
State recognition doesn't matter, says Conn. (8/10)
State: Pequot Tribes aren't real (8/3)