Town of North Stonington

                                           Board of Selectmen

                                           July 14, 2014

                                           New Town Hall Conference Room

                                           Special Meeting—Executive Session--6:00 PM

MINUTES

Call to Order6:00 PM with Selectmen Mullane, Donahue and Testa present

Public Comments and Questions-No public in attendance

EXECUTIVE SESSION-  Meeting with Attorney Don Baur, Perkins Coie, on Tribal Acknowledgment Regulations changes proposed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and their potential impact for North Stonington.

              A motion was made by Selectman Mullane and seconded by Selectman Donahue to enter executive session with Attorney Don Baur from Perkins Coie, Washington, DC to discuss proposed tribal acknowledgement issues, carrying 3-0

              The Board of Selectmen were briefed by Attorney Baur on the proposed revised BIA regulations, the major problems are:

                             The proposed regulations would make dramatic changes – both procedurally and substantively – in the acknowledgment process.  Many of the changes to the criteria appear inconsistent with long-established acknowledgment precedent and are not justified by the reasoning the BIA offers for them.  The most significant changes include:  (1) the process for a previously denied petitioner to re-petition under the new regulation; (2)  the ability of factions of a previously denied petitioner to petition; (3) the use of state reservations to satisfy the community and political authority criteria; and (4) the use of 1934 as the start point for demonstrating community and political authority and a new rule that would excuse evidentiary gaps of 20 years or more.

                             If the changes are adopted as proposed, there is a significant likelihood that Connecticut petitioning groups will gain acknowledgment without having to demonstrate factually that they have existed as a distinct community without political influence and authority, the bedrock requirements of federal tribal status.

Public Comments and Questions-None

Adjournment-8:50 PM