Trust

Wisconsin tribe objects to Oneida land-into-trust

Friday, April 25, 2008

A Wisconsin tribe is urging Congress to stop the land-into-trust application for the Oneida Nation of New York.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is set to decide whether to take 13,000 acres in trust for the tribe. Associate deputy secretary Jim Cason is expected to rule next week.

The Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians is objecting. The tribe, whose ancestors lived in New York before being removed to Wisconsin, says it is the rightful claimant to 3,000 acres at issue in the application.

The Stockbridge-Munsee Band, however, doesn't own the land. The Oneida Nation does.

Still, the Wisconsin tribe wants to negotiate some sort of settlement. The Oneidas are calling foul over the last-minute objection.

Get the Story:
Tribe in Wisconsin: Land is ours (The Syracuse Post-Standard 4/25)

Relevant Documents:
Final EIS (March 2008) | Draft EIS (November 2006)

Federal Register Notice:
Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Transfer From Fee to Trust of Parcels Owned by the Oneida Indian Nation of New York in Oneida and Madison Counties, New York (February 22, 2008)

From the Indianz.Com Archive:
BIA official calls high court ruling 'quite depressing' (March 31, 2005)
Major defeat for Oneida Nation in Supreme Court case (March 30, 2005)

Relevant Links:
Oneida Nation Trust - http://www.oneidanationtrust.com
Oneida Nation, New York - http://www.oneida-nation.net
Indian Nation Fee-to-Trust Land Acquisition Applications in New York State - http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/888.html
Oneida Indian Nation's Land Into Trust Application, Madison County - http://www.madisoncounty.org/motf/OINTrustMain.html

Sherrill v. Oneida Nation Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion [Ginsburg] | Concurrence [Souter] | Dissent [Stevens]