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AUGUST 22, 2000

As members of his own state criticize the Bureau of Indian Affairs for its policy on tribes, Vice-Presidential candidate Joe Lieberman's own record on Indian Country is resurfacing.

In 1997, Lieberman introduced the Indian Trust Lands Reform Act. The bill was designed to prohibit the Department of Interior from taking land into trust for financially successful tribes when the tribe intends to use it for commercial activities, including gaming.

During testimony before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Lieberman used the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation as an example of a tribe that would be prohibited from taking land into trust.

"[G]iven the financial resources of the [Mashantucket Pequot] Tribe and the apparent willingness of the Department of Interior to take land into trust on their behalf regardless of any evidence that the Tribe needs additional trust lands, many residents wonder where this will lead," said Lieberman. "I too question the policy justification for the United States to change the boundaries of three Connecticut towns unilaterally so that a wealthy tribe can expand its gaming or other business enterprises, free of taxes and local land-use controls."

Lieberman also referred to a "very wealthy" Minnesota tribe seeking "to take significant amount of off-reservation land into trust so that it can build a shopping center and light industrial park."

The three towns mentioned by Lieberman are now familiar to many in Indian Country for their stances on Indian policy issues. Ledyard, North Stonington, and Preston are currently fighting the Interior over its decision to take 165 acres of land into trust for the Mashantucket tribe.

The towns are also fighting the federal recognition of the Eastern Pequot and Paucatuck Eastern Pequot tribes.

Lieberman addressed tribal and other Native American leaders last week during the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. He told the Native American Caucus that voting for the Republican ticket would be a step back for tribes and tribal sovereignty.

He also said the two federally recognized tribes in his state -- the Mashantucket tribe and the Mohegan tribe, also financially successful -- have made dreams come true for themselves and for many who are employed by the tribes.

Lieberman served as Attorney General for Connecticut from 1982 to 1988. Richard Blumenthal currently holds the position, to which he was elected in 1990.

Relevant Links:
Text of Indian Trust Lands Reform Act of 1997 - A bill to prohibit the taking of certain lands by the United States in trust for economically self-sufficient Indian tribes for commercial and gaming purposes, and for other purposes (S.1329)
Testimony on the Indian Trust Lands Reform Act of 1997 - lieberman.senate.gov/s051298a.html

Related Stories:
Lieberman addresses tribes (8/16)
Towns optimistic about Pequot suit (6/15)