Groups sue for tribal recognition, seeking $36M in damages
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Leaders of three Tennessee groups stripped of their short-lived recognition as American Indian tribes have filed a federal lawsuit seeking more than $36 million in damages.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reports (http://bit.ly/1fciwRO ) that the lawsuit was filed last month in a Knoxville U.S. District Court against former state Attorney General Bob Cooper and Deputy Attorney General Janet Kleinfelter, who voided the recognition.
The lawsuit says the loss of recognition violated tribe members' civil rights and blocked them from obtaining various benefits under the law.
The Remanant Yuchi Nation, the Tanasi Tribe and the United Lenape Tribe were among six groups granted state recognition as American Indian tribes by the Tennessee Commission on Indian Affairs in 2010, just days before the commission ceased to exist. Cooper voided the recognition later that year.