The Nipmuc Nation of Massachusetts said it would appeal the Bureau of Indian Affairs' decision to deny the tribe federal recognition.

In a final determination, the BIA said the tribe failed to meet four out of seven mandatory criteria. According to the BIA, a majority of the tribe's membership does not descend from the historical Nipmuc tribe, there was no identification of the group as an Indian tribe from 1900 to 1979, the tribe has not comprised a distinct community from historical times and the tribe has not exercised political influence from historical times to the present.

The tribe's backer, Lakes Entertainment, said it may cut its funding. The firm's owner is a former business partner of assistant secretary Dave Anderson, who played no role in the decision.

The BIA rejected the Chaubunagungamaugs Band of Nipmucs.

Get the Story:
Firm says it may cut tribe campaign funds (AP 6/21)
Tribe plans appeal Nipmucs object to a US decision (The Boston Globe 6/20)
Nipmuc Nation vows to continue fight for federal recognition (AP 6/19)
BIA denies Nipmucs recognition (The Norwich Bulletin 6/19)
Casino hopes dealt setback (The MetroWest Daily News 6/19)
Nipmuc Nation denied (The Milford Daily News 6/19)
Bay State Tribes Rejected By BIA (The Hartford Courant 6/19)
pwlat
Tribal status, casino elude Nipmucs (The Boston Herald 6/19)
BIA Denies Recognition For Nipmuc Bands (The New London Day 6/19)
pwday

Related Stories:
Nipmuc Chief: Federal recognition overdue (6/18)
Nipmuc tribes expect to hear answer on status (6/18)
Nipmuc tribes cautiously await answer on recognition (6/17)
Martin delays decision on Nipmuc recognition (6/16)
Nipmuc tribes optimistic on federal recognition (6/15)
Recognition decisions expected for three tribes (06/14)
Column: Nipmuc Nation should gain federal recognition (06/07)
BIA delays decision on Nipmuc recognition by 45 days (04/26)
Something happening on land sparks fear of tribe (01/12)
Ex-Anderson partner funding Nipmuc recognition bid (11/11)
Decision on Nipmuc Nation recognition delayed (09/17)
Answer due on Nipmuc Nation recognition (9/16)
Nipmuc recognition comment period closes (10/02)
Nipmuc public comment period extended (7/02)
Nipmuc tribe has hope on federal status (6/26)
Nipmuc comment period extended (4/2)
Nipmuc bands not joining (3/20)
Solutions sought for 'hijacked' recognition (11/9)
Gover: Recognition study 'cooked' (11/1)
Reforming federal recognition (10/26)
Gover takes on recognition (10/25)
Nipmuc cooperation could aid recognition effort (10/2)
McCaleb reverses Clinton recognitions (9/28)
Background on Nipmuc, Duwamish recognition (9/28)
Nipmuc council member happy for denial (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 tribes (7/26)
McCaleb endorses BIA on recognition (6/14)
Gover's 'activist' legacy escapes McCaleb (6/13)
BIA has small goal for big problem (5/22)
Federal recognition battles continue (5/10)
Recognition reforms might not have an effect (2/7)
Nipmuc Nation granted recognition (1/22)