Former Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn, left, with Schaghticoke Tribal Nation Chief Richard Velky. The Schaghticoke Tribal Nation has not resubmitted a federal recognition petition but the Bureau of Indian Affairs sent a letter to the tribe anyway. Photo from STN
The Bureau of Indian Affairs won't review petitions submitted by tribes that have already gone through the federal recognition process. The BIA at one point was considering allowing tribes that were denied recognition the ability to restart the process. But the Part 83 reforms that were finalized a year ago removed that possibility amid constitutional concerns. That hasn't stopped the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut from submitting a new petition under the "Historical Eastern Pequot Tribe" name. The BIA's Office of Federal Acknowledgment has told the tribe that it won't review the case, the Associated Press reported. The BIA also sent a letter to the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, whose leaders have not submitted a new petition. But a different group known as the Schaghticoke Indian Tribe did. Get the Story:
Federal officials: 2 Connecticut tribes ‘exhausted’ recognition efforts (AP 6/7)
Schaghticoke Indian Tribe Revives Federal Recognition Effort (The Hartford Courant 6/7)
Connecticut tribe says it has made federal bid, hopes for casino (The Connecticut Mirror 6/5) Bureau of Indian Affairs Final Part 83 Documents:
Final Rule | Policy Guidance | Fact Sheet Federal Register Notices:
Hearing Process Concerning Acknowledgment of American Indian Tribes (August 13, 2015)
Requests for Administrative Acknowledgment of Federal Indian Tribes (July 1, 2015)
Federal Acknowledgment of American Indian Tribes (July 1, 2015)
Hearing and Re-Petition Authorization Processes Concerning Acknowledgment of American Indian Tribes (June 19, 2014)
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