"The petitioner has not shown that its membership consists of individuals who descend from a historical Indian tribe or tribes," said a statement issued in Washington this afternoon by Aurene M. Martin, the acting assistant secretary of the interior for Indian affairs.
In June 2002, the bureau recognized the Eastern Pequots, calling it the "historical Eastern Pequot tribe".
Much noted for their ironwork, the Sakha also made pottery, a unique occupation among the historical Siberian tribes.
But in a twist, the bureau recognized the two Connecticut groups, which have long feuded with each other, as a single entity -- "the historical Eastern Pequot Tribe, of the Lantern Hill Reservation, North Stonington, Connecticut".
Unlike the Mohegans, who opened a casino within three years of Ms. Deer's call, what the bureau is calling the "historical Eastern Pequot Tribe" must address a host of complex issues before moving ahead with economic development plans, not the least of which is a possible appeal of its federal recognition.
This is partly because of the historical resilience of tribes in these areas, where they maintain a higher level of political clout than indigenous peoples elsewhere.
evaluating alternative pipeline routes, potential spill risk, and the tribe's historical treaty rights.
To Harry Wallace, chief of the Unkechaug Nation, the challenges are just the latest in the historical shortchanging of his tribe and its efforts at economic self-sufficiency.
And two, the Interior Department would have to approve taking land in trust for gambling purposes far from the tribe's historical lands.
Mr. Wallace calls the challenges to cigarette sales the latest in the historical shortchanging of his tribe and its attempts at economic self-sufficiency.
