Indian Country, this new story is yet more reason to believe that the state tax man cometh and that New York State and its counties, in particular, have returned to being the deadliest enemies of tribal sovereignty.
Seneca and Cayuga counties have initiated a foreclosure action against the Cayuga Nation of New York in an attempt to collect delinquent property taxes owed by the tribe since 2008.
Cayuga County Attorney Fred Westphal said the tribe has until roughly June to pay the taxes owed on five properties in Union Springs and Springport, or the county will move to have the properties foreclosed and sold at auction.
Gabriel "Gabe" Galanda is a partner at Galanda Broadman PLLC, of Seattle, an American Indian majority-owned law firm. He is an enrolled member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes of Covelo, California. He can be reached at 206.691.3631 or gabe@galandabroadman.com, or via galandabroadman.com.
