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APRIL 3, 2001

Ronald Redbone Van Dunk, Chief Redbone of the Ramapough Tribe, died on Sunday. He was 68.

Van Dunk was the primary leader of the tribe's attempt to gain federal recognition. The tribe is state recognized in New York and New Jersey but the Bureau of Indian Affairs denied the tribe federal acknowledgment.

The BIA said the tribe failed to meet four out of seven mandatory criteria. After the tribe had the decision reconsidered, a final negative determination was made official by former Assistant Secretary Ada Deer in January 1998.

The tribe is appealing the decision through the court system.

Get the Story:
Ramapough Indian chief and activist dies (AP 4/2)

Get Ramapough Documents:
Summary under the Criteria and Evidence for Final Determination Against Federal Acknowledgment (BIA Branch of Acknowledgment and Research)