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Nipmuc Optimistic About Appeal of Federal Ruling

BOSTON, Massachusetts – As reported by the Republican: "Citing the possible election of U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry as president, leaders of the Nipmuc Nation yesterday said they are optimistic they will win an appeal of an agency's decision denying them federal recognition and the right to seek a casino.

"Only American Indians with federal recognition as a tribe have the authority to negotiate with their states' governors to build a casino. Federal recognition would also give the tribe several other benefits, such as grants for education programs and for housing, health and other improvements.

"Nipmuc leaders said they recently discovered old genealogical documents that provide new evidence of their historical roots as a tribe.

"The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs June 18 turned down separate requests for federal recognition by two bands of Nipmucs - the Nipmuc Nation in Sutton and the Chaubunagungamaugs of Webster. During a press conference on the grand staircase of the Statehouse, Nipmuc Nation leaders said the denial by the bureau was insulting and demoralizing.

"…The Nipmuc Nation, which teamed up with a casino developer, announced June 19 that it intended to appeal the bureau's ruling to the federal Department of the Interior's Board of Indian Appeals. The band's lawyer said the board has never overturned a bureau decision on tribal recognition. The Nipmuc Nation has discussed the possibility of building a casino in Sturbridge.

"…The Nipmuc Nation and the Chaubunagungamaug band have sought federal recognition for more than 20 years, long before tribes received the right to attempt to build casinos…"

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