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FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2001

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal on Thursday asked the Bureau of Indian Affairs why a former member of the Clinton administration reportedly discussed a number of federal recognition decisions.

BIA researchers told Blumenthal that Loretta Tuell, former director of the Office of American Indian Trust, held a meeting with a lawyer who was working on federal recognition. The trust office, however, does not have a role in the process.

It is unclear when the alleged meeting took place. Notes from the meeting refer to the Paucatuck Eastern Pequot Tribe of Connecticut, the Duwamish Tribe of Washington, and the Little Shell Ojibwe Tribe of Montana -- all of whom received favorable recognition decisions by Clinton-appointed officials.

Tuell served as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary during the last few days of the Clinton administration. Michael Anderson was designated as Acting Assistant Secretary during the same time.

On January 19, Anderson signed a decision to acknowledge the Duwamish Tribe. The decision is on hold pending review by the new Assistant Secretary, Neal McCaleb.

Tuell and Anderson now work for Monteau & Peebles, a Washington, DC, law firm. It was founded by Harold Monteau, the first Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission.

Get the Story:
Blumenthal questions official's role in tribe's recognition efforts (The New London Day 7/13)

Relevant Links:
Monteau & Peebles - http://www.ndnlaw.com

Related Stories:
Gover changed mind on Pequot recognitions (7/12)
Pequot recognitions subject of call (7/11)
Pequot recognition meeting this week (7/9)