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JUNE 28, 2000

Citing problems with its land claims and petition to gain federal recognition, the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, a state recognized tribe in Connecticut, have written the Department of Interior and state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, saying they will close a portion of the Appalachian Trail during the upcoming July 4th weekend.

Chief Richard Velky testified last month before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs about his tribe's effort to gain recognition. They are seeking to intervene in the recognition petition of the Paugussett tribe of Connecicut, whom the tribe says are stealing their ancestors.

The tribe has also filed a second lawsuit in US District Court in Hartford, Connecticut regarding their land claims. The tribe is suing the Appalachian Trail Conference and the Connecticut Light and Power Company and the US government over its land claims.

Like other Eastern tribes' land claims cases, the Schaghticoke believe their land was illegaly sold or transferred without federal approval, in violation of the 1790 Non-Intercourse Act. Precedents set in the 1970s don't require a tribe to be federally recognized in order for the Act to apply.

Get the Story:
Indian tribe threatens to close portion of Appalachian Trail (AP 6/28)

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