Law

Cayuga land claim settlement faces opposition

The Cayuga Nation faces opposition over its land claim settlement with New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D)

The deal cuts the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma out of the picture. "When the courts threw out the Cayuga judgment and land claim, they also took away the Seneca-Cayugas' standing as a successor in interest," Dan French, an attorney for the Cayuga Nation, told The Oneida Dispatch.

Seneca-Cayuga Chief Paul Spicer said his tribe won't accept the agreement. "Of course, we're going to file lawsuits. We're going to come out with both guns firing," he said.

Anti-gaming members of the Cayuga Nation also plan to fight the deal. The Upstate Citizens for Equality predicted the settlement would fall apart, just like prior attempts to end the land claim.

The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the 64,000-acre claim, saying the tribes waited too long to sue.

Get the Story:
Land claim deal heading to court (The Oneida Dispatch 5/29)
Will latest land settlement fare better than prior agreements? (AP 5/28)

Cayuga Land Claim Decision:
Cayuga Nation v. New York (June 28, 2005)

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

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