Just over 13,000 acres of land has been put into trust for the Oneida Indian Nation in the Madison and Oneida counties of New York State. Yesterday’s decision by the federal government, which would mean that the land would be exempt from state and federal taxes, is likely to be appealed by local and state officials within the next thirty days.

The Oneida Nation representative and CEO Ray Halbritter called the Department of Interior decision an initial step toward further securing Oneida homelands. He also stated that the Oneida people were willing to negotiate a limit on the amount and locations of future trust land acquisitions although not required to do so by law.

He added that ongoing expensive litigation had achieved nothing other than the enrichment of lawyers on both sides. However, the group Upstate Citizens for Equality has already said that it will file a lawsuit next month as it believes the federal government does not have the authority to put the land into trust, calling it an ‘unconstitutional land grab.’

Last February the Bureau of Indian Affairs released a study with the proposal for just over 13,000 acres, including Turning Stone Resort and Casino, to be placed in trust. This was far more than local officials had anticipated but less than the 17,000 acres the Oneidas had requested. Turning Stone Resort and Casino is a major employer in the area. The ongoing issue of Oneida trust land has meant decades of uncertainty for both the Oneida and local people. (E-05.21.08)

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