Feds: 2 counties off land claim
Aug. 7, 2001

By R. PATRICK CORBETT
Observer-Dispatch

The federal government says Oneida and Madison counties aren’t to blame for the grab for Oneida Indian land two centuries ago, but the Oneida Indian Nation isn’t going to let the counties off the hook.

The U.S. Department of Justice, which is supporting the Oneidas’ claim, said Friday it is dropping the two counties from its suit, and “the state is liable for all monetary and other relief for the entire claim area.”

David Pendergast, executive assistant to Oneida County Executive Ralph Eannace Jr., said Monday that the decision “is obviously a step in the right direction.”

He declined further comment until county lawyers have reviewed the Justice Department filing.

Oneida Indian Nation of New York spokesman Mark Emery said the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1985 that the counties have a liability in the case.

The Oneidas are seeking reparations in federal court for some 250,000 acres that they claim was seized by the state in 26 illegal transactions in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The Justice Department also said Friday it is deleting landowners from other Indian land claims across the state.

Federal Judge Neal P. McCurn removed landowners from the Oneida claim earlier.

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft said the federal government “will continue to work to facilitate an amicable settlement” of the land claims.

Negotiations in the Oneida land claim broke down more than a year ago as the Oneidas walked away from a $500 million settlement offer.

All parties have said negotiating is the only way to settle the many issues related to the land claim, but no one has made a formal offer to return to the bargaining table.

Parties in the claim would not speculate about the chances of a new round of talks in the wake of the Justice Department’s decision.