The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe of New York hailed a federal magistrate's recommendation in a long-running land claim lawsuit.

The tribe claimed 12,000 acres was stolen by the state of New York. Magistrate Judge Dancks recommended proceeding with the 2,000-acre area known as the Hogansburg Triangle.

“We will pursue any and all alternatives to re-acquire our territory for our future generations,” Chief Ron LaFrance said in a press release.

The recommendation will now go before Judge Neal McCurn. He could adopt it, which could lead to a trial on the merits or an immediate appeal, the tribe said in the press release.

The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals has previously dismissed a slew of land claims in New York, ruling that tribes waited too long to sue.

Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe v. New York.

Get the Story:
Federal judge recommends partially upholding Mohawk land claim (Johnson Newspapers 10/2)
Judge would narrow tribal claims in northern NY (AP 10/1)