From the Connecticut Post:
WASHINGTON — As far as Melissa Velky is concerned, she is Native American, tried and true.
The 24-year-old daughter of Richard Velky, chief of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, Melissa spent many a childhood day on the tribe’s 300-acre state reservation in Kent, Conn. As convinced as she is of her heritage, the federal government has said otherwise — declining to grant the tribe federal recognition, she claims, after state elected officials intervened. It is an injustice in her eyes and something she hopes to convince young Americans to rally around. “When we got our recognition reversed it was like my future being stomped on by the government,” Velky said in a recent interview. Velky, who is in her third year at Michigan State University’s College of Law, plans soon to launch “Students for Justice,” an Internet-based campaign that will utilize social networks like Facebook and MySpace to spread the word. “I’ve been through it all,” she said. “I’m interested in all aspects of the recognition process and hope other people will get involved and see what I see.” Velky was not yet born in 1981 when the tribe sent a letter of intent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs that they planned to petition for recognition. After years of gathering historical, genealogical and other records, the tribe submitted its petition to BIA and was approved on Jan. 29, 2004. The decision, however, was reversed on Oct. 12, 2005, on appeal from the state.
“The political injustice that was done to the tribe needs to be corrected,” she said. “We need federal recognition for the future of the tribe.”
The fate of the tribe is now in the hands of Senior U.S. District Judge Peter C. Dorsey, sitting in New Haven, who is considering an appeal of the reversal. The tribe claims that elected officials from Connecticut unduly influenced BIA’s decision. Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-4, have claimed the reversal was valid. Blumenthal and Shays told the Connecticut Post a year ago that the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation simply failed as required to demonstrate they existed as a tribe through the centuries with no lapses. The Schaghticokes and the state have filed their final arguments with Dorsey, who is considering the appeal. “My hope is that this group will see the political injustice that has been going on with our tribe and they will rally behind it,” Velky said. Velky plans to have a blog that will feature articles on the Schaghticokes and their effort to gain federal recognition. It will also feature the tribe’s history, information about online and offline events, and contact information.”Hopefully, students will interact with other students and find out about the things that are going on with the tribe,” she said. While a launch date has yet to be determined, Velky said that anyone interested could contact her at snaj@live.com or through Schaghticoke.com. Velky hopes to complete her law degree this year and receive a certificate in indigenous law. She would like to return to Connecticut afterward. “Being away at college for seven years you realize when you go back home what a strong family you have,” she said. “Hopefully, I can get a job in Connecticut. I would love to live there.” Her father has a similar wish. Richard Velky said that his dream is to have his daughter work for the Schaghticokes. “I’d love to see her help the tribe in any way possible,” he said. Velky, 58, is very supportive of her Internet idea even if he doesn’t really understand what Facebook is all about. “It’s a great idea. Given the reaction that young people have had to Barack Obama to get involved in politics, I think this is a good time for her to make this move,” he said. Peter Urban, who covers Washington, can be reached by e-mail at purban@ctpost.com
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