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Wednesday, January 28, 2004

A federal judge in New York says he will have the "final word" on the Shinnecock Nation's status as a sovereign tribe.

U.S. District Judge Thomas C. Platt also said that a tribe doesn't have to show "absolute continuity" to qualify for federal recognition. He made his comments at a recent hearing, The Hampton Independent reported.

The tribe has state recognition and has its own reservation on Long Island. The tribe has applied for federal recognition through the Bureau of Indian Affairs but is still in the queue, awaiting consideration. The BIA said it could take up to ten years before it gets to the tribe's petition.

Get the Story:
Shinnecock Casino Trial Begins In Spring (The Hampton Independent 1/28)

Relevant Links:
Shinnecock Nation - http://www.shinnecocknation.com

Related Stories:
Shinnecock Nation case tests legal waters (1/26)
Shinnecock leaders compare opposition to genocide (1/22)
BIA wants Shinnecocks to wait a decade for status (12/18)
N.Y. opinion affirmed Shinnecock Nation sovereignty (09/19)
Decision awaited in Shinnecock casino case (08/06)

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