Meeting set June 9 on land-claim dispute
June 1, 2000

By STEVE FROHNHOEFER
Observer-Dispatch

A return to the negotiating table by parties to the Oneida Indian Nation land claim took another step forward Wednesday.

After a telephone conference call with attorneys representing Oneida and Madison counties, New York state and the Oneidas, U.S. District Judge Neal P. McCurn set a June 9 meeting date for the parties to gather before him, officials said.

County leaders did not participate in the call, Oneida County land claim liaison C. Lee Hinkleman Sr. said. However, “The counties are still fully committed to a negotiated settlement,” he said.

The meeting will not be a bargaining session; rather it will allow McCurn the chance to assist all sides in the process.

“The Oneida Nation remains committed to settling the land claim through a negotiated settlement and will continue to work hard to achieve that,” said Oneida Nation spokesman Mark Emery.

Madison County Board of Supervisors Chairman Rocco DiVeronica said McCurn made the right decision to continue talks.

“I think the judge is looking for some concrete agreement with the Oneidas and the counties,” DiVeronica said. “I would think it was a step in the right direction.”

Arlinda Locklear, attorney for the Oneidas in Wisconsin, declined comment.

— Contributing: Kelly Hassett, Observer-Dispatch