Post by Okwes on Sept 23, 2006 11:22:52 GMT -5
Cayugas want partnership with two local counties
By DENISE M. CHAMPAGNE
Finger Lakes Times
SYRACUSE - Representatives of the Cayuga Indian Nation had their own meeting with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tuesday and want to establish a partnering relationship with Seneca and Cayuga counties.
"We believe that such a partnership is both practical and necessary for the common good of the Nation and the local communities which the Nation wishes to be a part," Daniel French, an attorney for the Syracuse firm French-Alcott, representing the Nation, says in a letter dated Sept. 14.
He says James Cason, associate deputy secretary for the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, agrees with the concept and advocated prompt initiation of such a relationship, something French points out had been suggested in prior letters and discussions.
"In light of the important issues our clients face, we agree with Secretary Cason that this process of opening a dialogue cannot commence soon enough," French says. "The Nation welcomes the opportunity to begin these discussions as soon as possible."
The letter is to Seneca County Attorney Steven Getman and Cayuga County Attorney Frederick Westphal.
Getman said any discussions would likely focus on the county's longstanding opposition to unequal treatment under the law and measures to ensure that local taxpayers and businesses are protected from unfair competition.
"We're always willing to listen," Getman said. "However, Seneca County's position has always been to oppose special privileges based upon race. Therefore, I would anticipate our county would require any 'partnership' with the Cayugas to involve some waivers of sovereignty."
Getman expects the issue to be discussed Sept. 26 when the county Board of Supervisors' Native American Affairs Committee, chaired by Ovid Supervisor David Dresser, meets in Ovid.
The Cayugas applied to have their lands taken into trust in April 2005 after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in "City of Sherrill vs. Oneida Indian Nation" that the Oneidas could not purchase land and unilaterally declare it tax free or sovereign from local control.
Officials in the two counties have said taxpayers could lose millions of dollars and be prevented from enforcing laws that protect the public if the Cayugas are allowed to put their lands in a federal trust.
• • •
dchampagne@fltimes.com
By DENISE M. CHAMPAGNE
Finger Lakes Times
SYRACUSE - Representatives of the Cayuga Indian Nation had their own meeting with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tuesday and want to establish a partnering relationship with Seneca and Cayuga counties.
"We believe that such a partnership is both practical and necessary for the common good of the Nation and the local communities which the Nation wishes to be a part," Daniel French, an attorney for the Syracuse firm French-Alcott, representing the Nation, says in a letter dated Sept. 14.
He says James Cason, associate deputy secretary for the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, agrees with the concept and advocated prompt initiation of such a relationship, something French points out had been suggested in prior letters and discussions.
"In light of the important issues our clients face, we agree with Secretary Cason that this process of opening a dialogue cannot commence soon enough," French says. "The Nation welcomes the opportunity to begin these discussions as soon as possible."
The letter is to Seneca County Attorney Steven Getman and Cayuga County Attorney Frederick Westphal.
Getman said any discussions would likely focus on the county's longstanding opposition to unequal treatment under the law and measures to ensure that local taxpayers and businesses are protected from unfair competition.
"We're always willing to listen," Getman said. "However, Seneca County's position has always been to oppose special privileges based upon race. Therefore, I would anticipate our county would require any 'partnership' with the Cayugas to involve some waivers of sovereignty."
Getman expects the issue to be discussed Sept. 26 when the county Board of Supervisors' Native American Affairs Committee, chaired by Ovid Supervisor David Dresser, meets in Ovid.
The Cayugas applied to have their lands taken into trust in April 2005 after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in "City of Sherrill vs. Oneida Indian Nation" that the Oneidas could not purchase land and unilaterally declare it tax free or sovereign from local control.
Officials in the two counties have said taxpayers could lose millions of dollars and be prevented from enforcing laws that protect the public if the Cayugas are allowed to put their lands in a federal trust.
• • •
dchampagne@fltimes.com