Judge bars rival from tribe's recognition

SEATTLE, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A U.S. district judge has ruled that a Seattle-area Indian tribe cannot get involved in the efforts of another aspiring tribe to gain formal recognition.

U.S. District Judge John Coughenour said the Muckleshoot tribe had no relevant reason to get involved in the efforts of the Duwamish tribe to gain federal recognition.

The Muckleshoots had sought to intervene in the matter on the grounds recognizing the Duwamish would cost them fishing rights they hold under treaty, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer said Wednesday.

Coughenour, however, said in a written order that fishing wasn't the issue. "This action is about federal tribal recognition, not treaty fishing rights," the judge wrote.

Leaders of the Duwamish contend that fishing rights is a smokescreen for an effort by the Muckleshoot tribe to prevent any other tribes from cutting into their casino market, the newspaper said.

The Post-Intelligencer said that recognition would allow the Duwamish to set aside land for a casino and would also give the 600 members of the tribe access to federal housing, healthcare and other programs for American-Indians.