FROM THE ARCHIVE

Tribe bothered by towns' complaints

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MARCH 15, 2001

A tribal councilor for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation on Wednesday said he was disturbed by comments made by the leaders of three Connecticut towns regarding a meeting they had on Monday.

The towns of Ledyard, North Stonington, and Preston, said the tribe purposely ignored ground rules about the meeting when Chairman Eenneth Reels opened the meeting with a tribal prayer. Yet, they said they were informed reciting the Pledge of Allegiance would offend the tribe.

But staff for freshman Congressman Rob Simmons (R-Conn), who arranged the meeting, said no such suggestion ever originated with the tribe. Councilor Michael Thomas also said they would have been happy to have the Pledge recited and that in no way would they have felt offended.

The tribe and the towns are planning on meeting yet again to discuss a settlement over a long-running dispute over land. The towns oppose the addition of 165 acres of land to the tribe's reservation but the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals last month upheld the Department of Interior's decision to take the land into trust.

Get the Story:
Mashantucket's Thomas: 'Agreement absolutely possible' (The New London Day 3/15)
Ledyard Town Council will send two members to next meeting with tribe (The New London Day 3/15)

Related Stories:
Towns still upset about Pequot meeting (3/14)
Towns disappointed with Pequot meeting (3/13)
Pequot Chairman: Its hard being a leader (3/13)
EDITORIAL: My Pequot Meeting (3/13)
Paper congratulates town, tribe (3/13)
Pequot Tribe, foes meet today (3/12)
The Pequot Meeting Letters (3/12)