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JUNE 29, 2000

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and federal officials from the National Parks Service say they are powerless to stop the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, a state recognized tribe, from closing a two mile portion of the Appalachian Trail that runs through their reservation on the border of New York.

The tribe is closing the trail to protest inaction over its land claims and handling of its federal recognition petition. The tribe has been state recognized since 1736.

Blumenthal wrote Chief Richard Velky a letter, stating that "Innocent hikers and campers should not be made pawns in the Schaghticokes' dispute with the federal government." Blumenthal has a meeting next month with BIA officials to discuss the pending federal recognition of two other state-recognized Connecticut tribes, the Paucatuck Eastern Pequot and the Eastern Pequot.

The trail will be closed to hikers from 8AM EST on Saturday, July 1 to 8PM EST on Tuesday, July 4.

Get the Story:
Authorities say they can't stop tribe's closing of Appalachian Trail (AP 6/28)

Related Stories:
Schaghticoke may close Appalachian Trail (Tribal Law 6/28)
Town holds tribal forum (The Talking Circle 06/23)
Town to hold forum (The Talking Circle 06/16)
Gover wants BIA out of nastiness (Tribal Law 05/25)
Schaghticoke seek recognition (Tribal Law 05/19)
Governor seeks Indian law experts (Tribal Law 05/16)
CT tribe sues for land (Tribal Law 05/05)