The Schaghticoke Tribal Nation is seeking $610 million in compensation from the state of Connecticut, because of the loss of tribal land over more than a century.
The Schaghticokes are recognized by the state of Connecticut, but are not a federally recognized tribe. They’ve been in the headlines already this year for a lawsuit they brought over Connecticut’s plans for a third casino. That suit was withdrawn, after a similar one filed by the Schaghticokes' backers, MGM International, was dismissed by the courts.
Now the Schaghticokes are once again in the courts, this time over lands that they have said were stolen from the tribe (PDF). The claim is that on 91 separate occasions over 117 years, the state took lands, and though it promised to pay the tribe, no compensation was ever forthcoming.
In all, the tribe said, its reservation was reduced from 2,400 acres to just 400.
Attorney for the Schaghticokes Austin Tighe has taken similar cases for other tribes, and he said there is precedent for this claim. He's also confident they have the necessary proof.
"Fortunately for us, the Schaghticoke have kept meticulous records, and have gone back and looked at the land records from a variety of different counties and townships," he told WNPR. "We have four pages worth of detailed information."
Tighe said the tribe wants to reassure anyone who owns land adjacent to their Kent reservation that they’re not seeking restoration of the property - just monetary compensation from the state.
"The state promised to pay, and the state is in fact constitutionally obligated to pay. So by the very nature of the claims we are talking about payment. We are not talking about, in any way, shape or form, taking anyone's land."
The Attorney General’s office said the complaint is being reviewed, and they will respond in court.
