“Expedited positive” could ultimately void two big compacts
Three Indian tribes in Connecticut could win federal recognition under newly proposed federal recognition regulations, issued recently by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
If proposed changes are made in the U.S. federal government’s guidelines for the recognition of Indian tribes, three Connecticut tribes?the Eastern Pequot, the Schaghticoke, and the Golden Hill Paugussett?could qualify for the recognition, which would allow them to pursue “many avenues of economic development and cultural revitalization,” according to Indian Country Today, including casinos.
The proposed regulation change would offer an “expedited positive ruling” for state tribes that have held land since 1934.
Nedra Darling, spokeswoman for the BIA, said, “The proposed ‘expedited positive’ process is primarily to be used for petitions in which there is no serious challenge among the local community and state.”
But Connecticut’s congressional delegation is already gearing up to oppose the change, and the state is sure to ally itself with Congress to protect multibillion-dollar compacts with the Mashantucket Pequots and the Mohegans, operators of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun.
“We will fight like hell,” U.S. Congressional Representative Rosa DeLauro said at an April town hall meeting in Woodbury. “The Golden Hill Paugussett could potentially make another play for homeowner’s homes. And this is not a scare tactic, I want to be upfront.”
The Paugussett and Schaghticoke have said they would be willing to swap territorial claims for the right to build casinos in Danbury and Bridgeport. Bridgeport has already passed a referendum of support for the plan in hopes it would bring new jobs to the struggling city.
