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FEBRUARY 13, 2001

In an editorial today, The New London Day criticizes everyone except Representative Rob Simmons (R-Conn) for the "Indian problem" in the state of Connecticut.

The paper says the Bureau of Indian Affairs has lost all "credibility" on the issue of federal recognition and calls on Congress to create an agency free form "politics and big money." The paper also calls for a moratorium on all recognition decisions.

The paper says the 1983 law which granted the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation federal recognition contains an "open-ended right" for the tribe to expand its recognition. The paper doesn't say all federally recognized tribes can expand their land holdings and that the 1983 law doesn't forbid the tribe from doing so nor does it contain any such provision the paper claims.

The paper also says the tribe needs to make a "good faith" offer to three neighboring towns who are prevented from negotiating with tribal leaders. The paper lightly suggests the towns should reconsider their no-negotiation stance but says the tribe has to make the first step.

Get the Story:
Safe ground to discuss Indian issues (The New London Day 2/13)

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Recognition, trust lands focus of hearing (Tribal Law 2/12)