Oneidas receive 13,000 acres of land into trust

The Oneida Indian Nation celebrated a Department of Interior decision last week that sets a precedent for other nations, like Akwesasne. The DOI approved the OIN’s land-into-trust application, taking more than 13,000 acres of the 17,370 requested into trust.

All 13,086 acres will be given tax-free reservation status and the OIN will have complete control over that land, while the federal government holds it in trust.

“The Oneida people are sincerely grateful to everyone whose hard work has led to this initial step toward further securing our Oneida homelands,” said Oneida CEO Ray Halbritter in a statement.

The application to take land into trust was the Oneidas’ second chance to have land returned to them. Their first attempt was through land claims and numerous court decisions that eventually lead to a decision against them in Oneida Indian Nation vs. Town of Sherrill.

The land approved to be taken into trust includes the Turning Stone Casino and several golf courses owned by the OIN.

Officials in towns and counties surrounding the OIN have publicly stated their intent to appeal the decision. Some of their criticism is that millions of dollars in property tax will be lost.

“We are willing to negotiate a limit on the amount, and locations, of future trust land acquisitions, none of which is required by law,” Halbritter said. “The state and counties must offer good-faith compromises as well, rather than insist upon retaining the same positions they have held for more than a decade, if we expect to reach an understanding.”

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe has applied to take the transfer station land into trust, according to Council, and they will make a second application soon for the recently purchased IGA land, as well as any other privately owned parcels in Hogansburg that have had their taxes paid up to date.