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APRIL 4, 2001

The Golden Hill Paugussett of Connecticut on Tuesday said it has filed suit against the Bureau of Indian Affairs, hoping to force the agency into making a decision on its petition for federal recognition.

The tribe has been thrice-denied for recognition but kept appealing the negative determination through the Interior Board of Indian Appeals (IBIA). Former Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Anderson then concluded the tribe was incorrectly subjected to a shortened set of recognition regulations and agreed to reconsider their application under the full seven mandatory criteria.

Since then, the BIA has delayed a decision at least once. A tribal leader says they have missed three deadlines.

The Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe is state recognized.

Press Release Sent by Tribe:
Connecticut's Golden Hill Tribe Sues Bureau of Indian Affairs To Put Federal Recognition of Tribe Back on Track (4/4)

Get the Story:
Tribe files suit against BIA (AP 4/3)

Decisions from the IBIA:
Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe, In re Federal Acknowledgment of the - www.doi.gov/oha/ibiadecisions/34ibia/34ibia018.PDF (34 IBIA 18 6/99)
Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe, In re Federal Acknowledgment of the - www.doi.gov/oha/ibiadecisions/34ibia/34ibia055.PDF (34 IBIA 15 7/99)
Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe, In re Federal Acknowledgment of the - www.doi.gov/oha/ibiadecisions/33ibia/33ibia004.PDF (33 IBIA 4 9/98)
www.doi.gov/oha/ibiadecisions/32ibia/32ibia216.PDF (32 IBIA 216 6/98)

Related Stories:
Recognition decision delayed (8/25)