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JULY 13, 2000

Another town in Connecticut is getting into the federal recognition fight. The town of Shelton will be holding a meeting on Friday to discuss the federal recognition bid of the Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe, a state recognized tribe. The town hopes neighboring communities will join with them in their fight.

The tribe currently awaits the status of their petition before the BIA. They were previously denied acknowledgement but the Interior Board of Indian Appeals ruled the tribe's petition should be reconsidered.

BIA head Kevin Gover was the former lawyer for the tribe. He has recused himself from the decision making process on their petition.

The Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, another state-recognized tribe, is seeking to intervene in the Paugussett recognition. They say the Paugussett have listed Schaghticoke ancestors on their petition.

The Paugussett filed a lawsuit in 1993 against several communities. At least one of them, Hartford, has changed their mind and is now supporting the tribe's bid, in hopes of getting a casino out of the deal.

Town leaders from Seymour, Trumbull, Orange, and Kent are expected to be at the Shelton meeting. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is also expected.

Get the Story:
Towns mobilize to fight Paugussett recognition (AP 7/13)

Related Stories:
Report alleges Gover misdeed (Tribal Law 07/10)
AG accuses tribe of foul play (Tribal Law 07/06)
Congressmen probe Babbitt (Tribal Law 06/30)
Schaghticoke may close Appalachian Trail (Tribal Law 06/28)
City wants Indian casino (Money Matters 04/21)

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Decisions from the IBIA:
Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe, In re Federal Acknowledgment of the - www.doi.gov/oha/ibiadecisions/34ibia/34ibia018.PDF (34 IBIA 18 6/99)
Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe, In re Federal Acknowledgment of the - www.doi.gov/oha/ibiadecisions/34ibia/34ibia055.PDF (34 IBIA 15 7/99)
Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe, In re Federal Acknowledgment of the - www.doi.gov/oha/ibiadecisions/33ibia/33ibia004.PDF (33 IBIA 4 9/98)
www.doi.gov/oha/ibiadecisions/32ibia/32ibia216.PDF (32 IBIA 216 6/98)