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Oneida Nation awaits response MAY 2, 2000 Days after the Oneida Nation offered to protect local landowners legally, members of the Men's Council and Clan Mothers have wondered why the offer has been met with negativity by New York officials.

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Both Madison and Oneida counties said they will not sign the agreement, which offers not to evict or seek rent from landowners. They would prefer that landowners be dropped from the suit entirely. The Oneida offer states they will not add the landowners to the suit initially. If they felt satisfied by a settlement with New York, the tribe would not have any reason to include the landowners in the suit. Governor George Pataki said he would rather see the Department of Justice drop its support of the Oneida. Two years ago, the Department angered many when they sided with the Oneida and asked that 20,000 landowners be added to the suit. Landowners questioned the Oneida offer from the onset, still fearing their land would be part of the Oneida Nation someday. The Oneida and the State appeared in district court last Thursday to discuss the next round of litigation. Judge Neal McCurn offered the parties a new Wednesday deadline. The counties and the State are still willing to talk settlement but the Oneida suggest another round in court is imminent. Staff and news wires contributed to this report. Related Stories: Oneida Nation reassures landowners (Tribal Law 4/27) Oneida Nation v New York State: Round 2 (Tribal Law 4/26) Quakers reach out in New York (Tribal Law 4/26) Oneida Nation v New York State (Tribal Law 04/05) Relevant Links: Land Claims Forum at Syracuse Online.