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APRIL 17, 2001

The federal recognition status of Nipmuc Nation, state-recognized in Massachusetts, is still in limbo and will remain so for a bit longer, said a Bureau of Indian Affairs spokesperson on Monday.

The tribe received preliminary recognition on January 19, the day before President Bush took office. The next day, the Bush transition team ordered all pending decisions at all federal agencies be held back for review.

Those which had been published in The Federal Register were delayed by 60 days. Some have since taken effect while others -- including one affecting land-into-trust -- have been further delayed or are being scrapped altogether.

Those which hadn't been published are still under review. Lack of a political head of the BIA is slowing down the process.

Acting Assistant Secretary James McDivitt said yesterday on Native America Calling that no federal recognition petitions are currently in need of immediate decision.

A rival faction of the Nipmuc tribe was denied preliminary recognition.

Get the Story:
BIA keeps Nipmuc recognition bid in limbo (The Norwich Bulletin 4/17)

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