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Effort to Unite Wisconsin Tribes Fails

NEW YORK – As reported by the New York Times Union: "A Pataki administration proposal to unite two Wisconsin tribes behind a casino development in the Catskill Park appears dead.

"But both tribes are actively trying to resolve their land claims independently with an eye toward getting into the gambling business in Sullivan County.

"Sources close to the administration say the governor's top Indian land claims negotiator, John O'Mara, is under substantial pressure from Gov. George Pataki's aides to come up with a deal with one of the many tribes competing for a chance to build one of three Indian casinos authorized by the Legislature to be opened in the Catskills.

"…On Tuesday, officials and lawyers of the Wisconsin-based Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans met with O'Mara and other administration officials to discuss a resolution to the tribe's claim to 23,000 acres. The land is within the Oneida tribes' claim of more than 250,000 acres in central New York.

"…William Gollnick, manager for the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin, said both tribes have rejected the administration's efforts to push a joint casino project between the Stockbridge-Munsee and the Oneida…"

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