Schaghticoke seek investigation of reversal

0 Comments | Indian Country Today (Lakota Times), December, 2005 | by Toensing, Gale Courey

Toensing, Gale Courey Indian Country Today (Lakota Times) 12-07-2005 KENT, Conn. -- The Schaghticoke Tribal Nation will file a formal request with the Senate Indian Affairs Committee to investigate the people and process involved in the BIA's recent reversal of the tribe's federal acknowledgment. The Schaghticoke received federal acknowledgement in January 2004, when the BIA was headed by former Acting Assistant Secretary Aurene Martin. After more than a year and a half of ferocious opposition by Connecticut officials, an appeal by state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, a high-powered lobbying firm's campaign with the White House and congressional representatives, BIA Acting Deputy Secretary James Cason issued a reconsidered final determination rescinding both...