Here are summaries of other Iroquois land claims in New York:

Cayugas

Tribes: Cayuga Indian Nation of New York, Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma.

Filed: 1980, it is the only land claim to go to trial.

Land: 64,027 acres in Cayuga and Seneca counties.

Then/now: Once owned 1.9 million acres; today they own two bingo halls, two convenience stores/gas stations and a car wash.

Outcome: A jury in February 2000 awarded the Cayugas $36.9 million. In October 2001, a federal judge added another $211 million in interest. Both sides have appealed the judgment.

Possible Settlement: Both tribes would be allowed to open casinos in the Catskills; the Oklahoma tribe would pay the state up to $350 million, which the state would use to pay the New York Cayugas up to $150 million. The New York Cayugas also would be allowed to purchase between 2,500 and 10,000 acres in the claim area.

Mohawks

Tribes: St. Regis Tribal Council, the Mohawk Council Nation of Chiefs and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (based in Canada).

Filed: 1982.

Land: 15,000 acres in Franklin and St. Lawrence counties as well as three islands in the St. Lawrence River owned by the New York Power Authority.

Then/now: Once owned 9.9 million acres; now have 14,640-acre reservation in Franklin County.

Possible Settlement: The state and NYPA would pay the Mohawks $100 million over 40 years and give the tribe 1,315 state-owned acres. The Mohawks would be permitted to buy up to 13,400 additional acres in Franklin County. They would receive a compact for a casino in the Catskills.

Advertisement

Oneidas

Tribes: Oneida Indian Nation of New York, Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, Oneidas of Ontario (Canada) and the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians.

Filed: 1970.

Land: 256,000 acres in Madison and Oneida counties.

Then/now: Owned 3.7 million acres; granted a 32-acre reservation in Madison County; today, have used casino profits to acquire more than 17,000 acres.

Possible Settlement: The state has agreed to give the Stockbridge-Munsee tribe and Wisconsin Oneidas casinos in the Catskills in exchange for dropping their land claims against New York. The New York Oneidas would be allowed to own up to 35,000 acres but they oppose the proposed settlement.

Senecas

Tribes: Seneca Nation of Indians, Tonawanda Band of Seneca.

Filed: 1985 and 1993.

Land: 50 acres around Cuba Lake in Allegany County, 19,000 acres on Grand Island, plus other islands in the Niagara River.

Then/now: Owned 6.5 million acres; today possess 56,213 acres on four reservations in Niagara, Genesee, Erie, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties.

Outcome: The Senecas claimed the city of Salamanca (1,700 acres). Following the expiration of a 99-year-lease, the Senecas in 1991 took title to 2,517 city properties and now lease the land to residents and businesses. They also received a $60 million payment as a payback for low rents charged in the original lease.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.