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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2001

A Conenecticut town fighting the federal recognition of two Pequot tribes says he is encouraged by a dispute over the pending recognition of the Chinook Nation.

First reported by Indianz.Com, Bureau of Indian Affairs researchers have recommended Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb reconsider the Chinook recognition. According to a letter sent to Secretary of Interior Gale Norton, Gover made mistakes, ignored precedent and did not fully consider all of the evidence on the record when he issued a final determination for the Washington tribe his predecessor sought to deny.

Of this development, North Stonington First Selectman Nicholas H. Mullane II tells The New London Day he is "encouraged" by the staff's challenge to a decision made by their former boss.

The recognition is being challenged by the Quinault Nation, a federally recognized tribe. In what is sure to draw serious dispute by the Chinook and Pacific Northwest historians, The Day says the Quinault Nation "at one time adopted the Chinooks."

The Quinault Nation, like a number of other Indian nations, was recognized by the government as a confederation of several tribes. An 1855 treaty and a subsequent executive order were the basis for the grouping.

Norton has until November 6 to decide whether to allow McCaleb to review, and potentially reverse, the decision or affirm it.

Get the Story:
Researchers want BIA chief to reconsider tribe's recognition (The New London Day 10/17)

Relevant Links:
Branch of Acknowledgment and Research - http://www.doi.gov/bia/ack_res.html

Related Stories:
Norton urged to uphold recognition (10/11)
Chinook Nation faces reversal (10/3)
McCaleb reverses Clinton recognitions (9/28)
McCaleb to listen 'closely' to recognition experts (8/9)
McCaleb decision sure to draw scrutiny (7/31)
BIA pushed to provide 'answers' on recognition (7/26)
BIA has small goal for big problem (5/22)
Norton won't review Chinook recognition (3/20)
Chinook Nation eager to tell story (3/2)
Gover reverses Chinook decision (1/04)

Blasts from the Past - Indianz.Com Recognition Classics:
Recognition findings a departure (8/16)
Decisions put Gover in the middle (08/16)
Gover wants BIA out of nastiness (05/25)
Town: Gover a 'mockery' (5/25)