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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2002

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has closed the comment period on the federal recognition application of two Nipmuc tribes from Massachusetts.

The Nipmuc Nation and the Chaubungagungamaug Nipmuc face a negative final determination. They submitted additional evidence in hopes of boosting their case.

The Clinton administration had extended preliminary recognition to the Nipmuc Nation but not the Chaubungagungamaug. Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb reversed the Nipmuc Nation decision.

The tribes have 60 days to respond to any comments. Extensions are possible.

Get the Story:
Nipmucs give BIA more information (The New London Day 10/2)
State, towns urge BIA to deny Nipmuc recognition (The Norwich Bulletin 10/2)
Eastern Pequot appeal gains little support locally (The Norwich Bulletin 10/2)

Relevant Documents:
Connecticut Attorney General Press Release (10/1) | Connecticut Attorney General Brief (9/30)

Related Stories:
Nipmuc public comment period extended (7/02)
Nipmuc tribe has hope on federal status (6/26)
Nipmuc comment period extended (4/2)
Nipmuc bands not joining (3/20)
Solutions sought for 'hijacked' recognition (11/9)
Gover: Recognition study 'cooked' (11/1)
Reforming federal recognition (10/26)
Gover takes on recognition (10/25)
Nipmuc cooperation could aid recognition effort (10/2)
McCaleb reverses Clinton recognitions (9/28)
Background on Nipmuc, Duwamish recognition (9/28)
Nipmuc council member happy for denial (9/28)
McCaleb to listen 'closely' to recognition experts (8/9)
McCaleb decision sure to draw scrutiny (7/31)
BIA pushed to provide 'answers' on tribes (7/26)
McCaleb endorses BIA on recognition (6/14)
Gover's 'activist' legacy escapes McCaleb (6/13)
BIA has small goal for big problem (5/22)
Federal recognition battles continue (5/10)
Recognition reforms might not have an effect (2/7)
Nipmuc Nation granted recognition (1/22)