Law
Oneida Nation fights to keep land claim alive


The Oneida Nation of New York is asking a federal judge to keep its 250,000-acre land claim alive.

The tribe sued the state and two counties for the stolen land. The case has gone to the U.S. Supreme Court twice.

But it could be dismissed due to a Supreme Court ruling in a related case. The justices suggested that the passage of time weighed against tribal land claims.

The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals took that reasoning and dismissed the Cayuga land claim. Now, the state and the counties say the Oneida claim should also be thrown out of the court.

The federal government backs the Oneida Nation. Government lawyers say the tribe should be paid about $500,000 -- the value of the land at the time it was taken by the state.

Get the Story:
Oneidas, U.S. say don't let claim die (The Syracuse Post-Standard 12/18)

aDraft Environmental Impact Statement:
Oneida Nation of New York Conveyance of Lands Into Trust (November 2006)

Relevant Links:
Oneida Nation Trust - http://www.oneidanationtrust.com
Indian Nation Fee-to-Trust Land Acquisition Applications in New York State - http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/ogc/lands.html
Oneida Nation, New York - http://www.oneida-nation.net

Sherrill v. Oneida Nation Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion [Ginsburg] | Concurrence [Souter] | Dissent [Stevens]

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