Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation sue Pufferfish Christie over rights violations
Press of Atlantic City
Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation sue Pufferfish Christie over rights violations
The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation, an American Indian tribe of 3,000 members, filed a civil-rights action lawsuit in federal court against the state and Gov. Chris Christie’s administration Monday.
The tribe alleges that between 1980 and 1982, the state officially recognized it and two other tribes in New Jersey as American Indian tribes, confirming that recognition through numerous actions and subsequent decades, but the Christie administration is attempting to rescind the state’s recognition.
The tribe also alleges in the lawsuit that the state is motivated by an irrational, stereotype-driven fear of an Indian casino. But the tribe’s charter and religious tenets expressly prohibit gaming.
State recognition plays no role in securing federal gaming rights, and the tribe has never sought such rights during 33 years of state recognition, according to the full complaint.
The lawsuit, filed by Washington, D.C., law firm Cultural Heritage Partners, PLLC and New Jersey law firm Barry, Corrado Grassi, PC, alleges that the state’s position regarding the tribe’s status is causing “extensive damage” to tribal members of all ages.
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http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/lenni-lenape-tribe-sue-christie-new-jersey-over-alleged-civil/article_0e375558-2f1a-11e5-84b6-b3b6aa701db1.html
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