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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2002

Federal recognition must be the most important Indian policy issue, the way politicians and the media in Connecticut see it.

The New London Day makes the case in an editorial today decrying the voice of democracy. The paper says the Senate's overwhelming defeat of a federal recognition moratorium was an "irresponsible" "cop-out" orchestrated by Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii).

"Yet the real scandal is the fact that the Hawaii Democrat refuses to endorse needed change, despite the fact that he is the chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee and has enormous leverage to fix this broken system," the paper writes. "Instead, Sen. Inouye spoke of the criminal injustices American Indians have suffered. The two are unrelated, and he knows it."

Others don't hold same views. "Fortunately for the Native Americans in Connecticut, they have more friends than enemies," wrote a reader, citing Inouye's call to "end to the war on Indians."

"The time has come for more Americans to become more civilized," writes another, referring to complaints that tribes are living off government handouts such as the constitutionally protected freedom from (most) state taxation.

Three tribes in Connecticut are awaiting the final word on their federal status. The Eastern Pequot Tribe and Paucatuck Eastern Pequot Tribe, recognized as one entity, have to wait out an appeal lodged by the state's attorney general.

The Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe expects to hear a decision by the end of the year.

Get the Story:
Editorial: A congressional cop-out (The New London Day 9/25)
Letter: Senators have no business fighting BIA (Charlie Aspinwall. The New London Day 9/25)
Letter: Time to honor our treaties with Indians (Frederick K. Sunderman. The New London Day 9/25)
Both recognition foes, advocates plan to win (The New London Day 9/25)

Related Stories:
Recognition moratorium defeated (9/24)
Senate votes down recognition rider (9/23)
Senate to consider recognition rider (9/20)
Hearing held on federal recognition (9/18)
RNC chief: Recognition 'steep in integrity' (9/13)
Budget bill cuts recognition funds (9/11)
Senate panel to discuss recognition (9/10)