Muwekma Ohlone Tribe fights for recognition

Wednesday, March 28, 2007  

The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of California is waiting to hear on its bid for federal recognition from a judge in Washington, D.C.

The tribe was rejected by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in September 2002. It was the agency's first-ever ruling on a petition from California.

The tribe took the BIA to court in hopes of overturning the decision. According to The San Francisco Weekly, Judge Reggie B. Walton has expressed skepticism about the agency's reasoning for rejecting the petition.

With recognition, the tribe hopes to repatriate its ancestors and rebuild a land base. According to The Weekly, the tribe is being financed by a casino developer.

Get the Story:
The Little Tribe That Could (The San Francisco Weekly 3/28)

Relevant Documents:
McCaleb Issues Final Determination to Decline Federal Acknowledgment of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe (BIA 9/9)

Relevant Links:
Muwekma Ohlone Tribe - http://www.muwekma.org

Related Stories:

McCaleb rejects recognition of Calif. tribe (9/10)
Muwekma Tribe denied recognition (7/31)