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NOVEMBER 30, 2000

Kevin Gover, Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, on Wednesday asked the leaders of two Nimpuc Tribes to wait a couple more weeks to hear on the status as federally recognized tribes.

"Thank you for your patience," began Gover in a letter to the leaders of the Hassanamisco and the Chaubunagungamaug bands of the Nipmuc Nation of Massachusetts. He informed them yesterday that a decision on their petitions won't come until December 15.

Although the Bureau completed its draft decision on the two bands a month ago, the Interior's legal department, or Office of the Solicitor, hasn't yet completed its review of the recommendation. The bands had been told in June to expect a decision today.

But in the gamble for federal recognition, these types of delays are common. The Bureau deals with countless other issues affecting already-recognized tribes all over the country, sometimes putting off decisions on pending tribes for months -- and some critics say, years -- at a time.

The Little Shell Chippewa of Montana are just one of several tribes familiar with the long wait. After hanging in political limbo for over 100 years, lawyers for the tribe say the tribe was told to expect a finding in February of 1998. Instead, they didn't receive one until May of this year.

"Gover had given us three or four delays," said Pat Maki, the tribe's enrollment officer. "It kept being extended."

And even then, Make said the tribe heard of their preliminary approval through the grapevine. "We found out from a newspaper," she said.

Since May, the tribe has been busy making preparations in anticipation of final recognition. But they too are seeking a delay in the process and recently asked for a six-month extension on the public comment period on their petition, in part to address what the Bureau said were deficiencies.

If all goes as planned, the two Nimpuc bands might soon see themselves in a similar position. Two Pequot Tribes in Connecticut received preliminary recognition in April, but Gover has said their case would be strengthened if they joined as one.

The bands originally petitioned as one group in 1980, but the Chaubunagungamaug band separated in 1996.

Relevant Links:
Office of the Solicitor, Department of Interior - www.doi.gov/sol

Related Stories:
Recognition bills crowd Congress (Tribal Law 11/29)
Recognition on Nimpucs due soon (Tribal Law 11/24)
Little Shell ask for extension (Tribal Law 10/30)
Decisions put Gover in the middle (Tribal Law 08/16)
Little Shell finding a departure (Tribal Law 08/16)

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Federal Recognition (Tribal Law 5/17)