Statement of Governor Rell on BIA Decision to Deny Recognition to Schaghticoke, Eastern Pequot

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today issued the following statement on the decision by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to deny the recognition petitions of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation and the Historic Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation:

            “This is great news for Connecticut. Common sense and the rule of law prevailed today. The BIA made the only decisions it could have – and should have – based on its own criteria.

            “As I testified at U.S. Senator John McCain’s committee on the recognition process earlier this year, legitimate tribes should be recognized. But the seven specific recognition criteria established by the BIA must be applied strictly. In these two cases, the tribes simply did not meet the criteria, and denial was the only course.

            “It has been a long struggle and a lot of people have worked together to ensure that these flawed petitions were denied. I thank everyone involved – the Attorney General; our U.S. Senators and the rest of our Congressional delegation; state legislators; and others – for their hard work. I also thank the BIA for its renewed commitment to following its own criteria.

            “This lingering issue is now resolved. The cloud of these petitions – and the associated land claims – is lifted. If, however, the tribes insist upon continuing this battle by appealing in the federal courts, we will vigorously fight the appeals.”