Tribe wins federal recognition; may pursue casino - 2004-01-31
The federal government yesterday declared the Schaghti-coke Tribal Nation a sovereign American Indian tribe, in a dramatic reversal of a preliminary decision made a year ago.

State officials promised to appeal the Bureau of Indian Affairs' decision, which is the first step toward allowing the tribe to operate a gambling casino in Connecticut.

"We knew we were the people that should have been federally recognized," trial Chief Richard Velky said. "What this tribe has been through for the last quarter of a century is unbelievable."
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Connecticut casino ruling prompts protests - 2004-01-31
The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs Thursday officially recognized the existence of an Indian tribe based in northwestern Connecticut, to the dismay of political leaders and residents who fear that the government designation will lead to the formation of a third casino in the state.

Richard L. Velky, the chief of the tribe, Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, based in Kent, said he wanted time to savor the news before tackling the topic of whether the tribe would pursue the gambling business, but he did not rule out the possibility of a new casino.
Read the full story at Las Vegas Sun