Cayuga Nation
to Pursue Mediation to Resolve Tribal Leadership
The Cayuga Provisional Council
announced today that it has contacted the Bureau
of Indian Affairs (BIA) to accept the agency's offer
to mediate with the Provisional Council and other
Cayuga members to resolve all outstanding leadership
issues within the tribe. In much the same way that
the Provisional Council sought to alleviate such
matters earlier this year by holding a special election,
this new course of action is a positive step towards
uniting the Cayuga Nation and pursuing what is best
for all members in the State of New York. This mediation
follows the advice of the BIA, which concluded that
it has insufficient evidence to alter its recognition
of the Cayuga Nation's form of government, and it
thus cannot accept the Provisional Council as properly
authorized to represent the Cayuga Nation in dealings
with the Federal Government.
Mediation by the BIA will bring clarity and cohesiveness
to our Nation. It is the most logical way to quickly
resolve divisive and long standing leadership issues,"
said Cayuga Nation Provisional Council spokesman
Gary Wheeler.
"Working with our partner, the Cayuga Provisional
Council, we fully support mediation to finally resolve
these outstanding leadership issues and gain support
from the BIA. We believe the Cayuga Nation of New
York can bridge these matters and, in doing so,
move towards development of a Cayuga casino in the
Catskills - a significant benefit to each clan and
all tribal members," commented David Hanlon,
CEO and president of Empire Resorts .
Source: The Cayuga Provisional Council.
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