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AUGUST 1, 2000

Testimony in the final phase of the Cayuga Nation land claims case ended on Monday, with a Cayuga clan mother recalling how the tribe were deceived by New York state and have always wanted to return to the homeland taken illegaly taken by the state.

Bernadette Hill said the treaties between the state and the tribe were never valid because none were approved by the council, the Six Nations council, and there is no wampum belt to commemorate them. She also said leaders were given alcohol and forced to sign the land over.

US District Judge Neal McCurn is holding the trial to decide how much interest, if any, to add to the $36.9 million awarded to the tribe by a jury in February. Evidence regarding how the state treated the tribe is seen as beneficial to the nation's arguments.

The state has been trying to show, on cross-examination, that they have treated the tribe fairly.

Get the Story:
Cayugas recount history of deceit (The Albany Times Union 8/1)
Cayugas 'always yearned to return' (The Syracuse Newspapers 8/1)

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State questioned in Cayuga land deals (Tribal Law 07/26)
Did feds bribe the Cayuga Nation? (Tribal Law 7/20)
Cayuga claim may be worth billion (Tribal Law 7/19)
Expert says Cayuga treated unfairly (Tribal Law 7/18)
Witness allowed to testify against Cayuga (Tribal Law 07/12)