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SEPTEMBER 15, 2000

At a forum in Connecticut on Thursday, state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal again voiced his concerns about the federal recognition process, accusing the Bureau of Indian Affairs of not being able to do its job properly.

"The BIA doesn't have the resources or staff to make fully objective and informed decisions, and we need to revisit the entire system," Blumenthal told attendees of a forum held in the town of Shelton.

Agreeing yesterday with Blumenthal was Richard Velky, Chief of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation. The state-recognized tribe filed their petition seeking federal recognition in 1981 and Velky said the recognition process is broken.

In May, he also testified before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs regarding a bill that would remove the Bureau of Indian Affairs from the entire process. "[I]t is safe to say that the federal acknowledgment process ... is broken," Velky said.

Thursday's forum brought Velky together with Blumenthal and other state leaders, including three from towns who border the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. Officials from Ledyard, North Stonington, and Preston oppose the federal recognition efforts of the Eastern Pequot and the Paucatuck Eastern Pequot Tribes, who received preliminary recognition from the Bureau in late March.

But the towns also have voiced opposition to expanded gaming in their region. They say the Mashantucket tribe's gaming operation has impacted the environment and quality of life negatively and are concerned another casino would do the same.

However, both tribes have said the reservation which they share, located in North Stonington, is unsuitable for development.

Blumenthal also addressed gaming yesterday and said the state would be forced into negotiating with any newly recognized tribe who intends to open casino. Along with Mickey Browne, the former head of the Mashantucket casino, Velky unveiled his plans for a casino last week.

Should the Schaghticoke or the Golden Hill Paugussett tribe receive recognition, Blumenthal said the state would have no choice under federal law but to enter into a gaming compact with either tribe.

However, other states have refused to enter into compacts with tribes, which are required if a tribe wishes to conduct Class III, or Vegas-style, gaming. The Department of Interior can step in and authorize compacts in those instances.

Get the Federal Recognition Bill:
A bill to provide for administrative procedures to extend Federal recognition to certain Indian groups, and for other purposes (S.611)

Related Stories:
Town: Gover a 'mockery' (The Talking Circle 5/25)
Gover wants BIA out of nastiness (Tribal Law 5/25)
Key Provisions of the Indian Federal Recognition Administrative Procedures Act of 1999 (Tribal Law 5/25)

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Links and resources on Federal Recognition.