Man claims true leader of Conn. tribe

MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2002

In the latest battle over federal recognition and the riches it may bring, Samuel Dixon Jr. has declared himself the rightful leader of the Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe of Connecticut.

Well, not exactly. He's calling himself the chairman of the The Golden Hill Paugussett Tribal Nation of Greater New Haven and says the similarly-named group has hijacked his family's genealogy.

The Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe has been seeking federal recognition but has been denied. A reconsidered decision is due to be issued later this year or early 2003 per a settlement agreement with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Get the Story:
Another group claims to be an Indian tribe (AP 1/14)

Get Paugussett Documents:
Summary and Reconsideration

Relevant Links:
Branch of Acknowledgment and Research - http://www.doi.gov/bia/ack_res.html

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BIA mediating Paugussett recognition (11/15)
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Conn. tribe excited about hearing (9/25)
Recognition case heads to court (9/24)
Letter: Apologize to Paugussett Tribe (8/29)
On the recognition radar (8/3)
BIA has small goal for big problem (5/22)
Draft study cites problems with casino (4/24)
Tribe sues BIA for recognition (4/4)
Federal recognition update (2/26)