Federal Recognition

Connecticut governor opposes BIA federal recognition reforms

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy (D) is asking President Barack Obama to stop the Bureau of Indian Affairs from making changes to the federal recognition process.

Malloy claims the changes will allow three tribes that are recognized by the state of Connecticut to gain federal recognition. The three tribes were previously denied recognition by the BIA.

"For Connecticut, the consequences would be devastating," Malloy said in the letter, The New London Day reported. "The petitioning groups have filed or threatened land claims to vast areas of fully developed land in Connecticut. Such claims can cloud the title to real property in the claimed area, causing significant economic hardship to Connecticut residents."

At issue is a provision that will provide an "expedited" review of groups with state-recognized reservations. The Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation, the Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe and the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation reside on reservations that were set aside during Colonial times.

The tribes are recognized in state law and their land is considered to be non-taxable.

Get the Story:
Malloy opposes tribal recognition changes in letter to Obama (The Hartford Business Journal 2/27)
Malloy faults tribal recognition proposals (The Norwich Bulletin 2/27)
Malloy expresses opposition to changes in tribal recognition process (The New London Day 2/26)

Federal Register Notice:
Procedures for Establishing That an American Indian Group Exists as an Indian Tribe (June 26, 2013)

Relevant Documents:
Dear Tribal Leaders Letter
Present Version - 25 CFR Part 83 Procedures for Establishing that an American Indian Group Exists as an Indian Tribe
Red Lined Proposed Version - 25 CFR Part 83 Procedures for Establishing that American Indian Group Exists as an Indian Tribe