A federal judge in Utah ruled that a group calling itself the Wampanoag Nation, Tribe of Grayhead, Wolf Band, is not a legitimate Indian tribe.
The group claims it is sovereign and exempt from state jurisdiction. But , U.S. District Judge John E. Conway said there is no evidence the group has federal recognition.
Utah officials allege the group is behind an scam that targets people and asks them to pay millions of dollars in arbitration awards. The group has created its own "tribal court."
The group is not affiliated with the federally recognized Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head in Massachusetts, or the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, whose federal status is being finalized.
Get the Story:
Judge rules that group isn't American Indian tribe
(The Salt Lake Tribune 4/7)
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Friday, April 7, 2006
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