Law

DOI wants to join Onondaga Nation land claim

The Interior Department wants the federal government to intervene in the Onondaga Nation's land claim, a lawyer for the tribe said.

The tribe was in court yesterday to defend its claim from a motion to dismiss. Intervention by the federal government could keep the case alive through the Department of Justice has yet to make a move.

The state of New York says the tribe waited too long to file the lawsuit. The Cayuga land claim, also in New York, was dismissed for the same reason.

The tribe is claiming over 4,000 square miles, or about two million acres. The tribe doesn't want monetary damages but a role in the environmental remediation of the land.

Get the Story:
U.S. may back Onondaga land claim (The Albany Times-Union 10/12)
Onondaga Nation argues against motion to dismiss land-claim case (The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle 10/12)

Relevant Links:
Onondaga Nation - http://www.onondaganation.org

Related Stories:
Onondaga Nation seeks to keep land claim alive (10/11)
Onondaga Nation awaits word on land claim (09/24)
Onondaga Nation draws distinction with claim (2/6)
Onondaga Nation makes big filing in land claim suit (11/20)
New York asks court to end Onondaga land claim (08/16)
Onondaga leader worried about future of land claim (06/13)
Another land claim denied by Supreme Court (6/6)
U.S. Supreme Court refuses to clarify tribal claims (05/16)
Onondaga Nation to continue pursuit of land claim (05/16)
Supreme Court won't hear Cayuga land claim (5/15)
U.S. Supreme Court weighs Cayuga land claim (05/09)
Onondaga Nation forum explores women's role (03/08)
Commentary: Onondaga Nation seeks to revive river (03/02)
Onondaga Nation makes changes to land claim (08/05)
Column: Onondaga Nation clan mother keeps the faith (07/15)
Onondaga Nation pushes for cleanup of lake (04/26)
Onondaga Nation not worried about internal spats (03/21)
Onondaga Nation makes history with land claim (3/14)
Onondaga Nation names state, companies in land claim (3/1)