Tribal Affairs

Mission Statement

The State of Connecticut’s Tribal Affairs team, situated within CT DEEP, is committed to rebuilding and enhancing the government-to-government relations with Connecticut’s Tribal Nations. 

Overview

Tribal Affairs in the State of Connecticut is housed within the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Office of Equity and Environmental Justice. DEEP works in coordination with other state agencies and offices. As outlined in the Connecticut General Statutes § 47-65, DEEP is responsible for the care and management of reservation land for Connecticut’s Tribes. 

History of Tribal Affairs

Present day DEEP originated in 2011, but historically, the following systems or agencies provided aid and support to the State recognized tribes: 

• Connecticut Overseer System (Late 1600’s – 1935)
• Connecticut State Park and Forest Commission (1935 -1941)
• Department of Welfare (1941-1973) 
• Department of Environmental Protection (1973 – 2011)
• Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (2011 – present)

Tribal Nations:

Golden Hill Paugussett: The State recognized tribe maintains two reservations in Trumbull and Colchester. Following numerous land disputes, the Trumbull reservation was reduced to a quarter of an acre. Through the efforts of Chief Big Eagle, the Tribe secured and maintained this Trumbull site and was able to acquire a second, 106-acre reservation in Colchester. In collaboration with DEEP and with funding provided by the Connecticut General Assembly, the Tribe is now in the planning and development phase of building a community center on their reservation land. Read more about the culture and history of Golden Hill Paugussett History here.

Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation: A State recognized Tribe with a reservation in North Stonington. One of the oldest continuously occupied reservations in the country. Prior to being known as the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation, they were also known by other names throughout history such as the Eastern Pequot Indians of Connecticut, the Paucatuck Eastern Pequot and the North Stonington Pequots. The reservation was deeded to the Tribe in 1683 where two factions were co-existing until the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) merged the two tribes in 2002. The Tribe was granted federal recognition in 2002, but this recognition was later rescinded in 2005 when the BIA reconsidered their decision. In collaboration with DEEP and with funding provided by the Connecticut General Assembly, the Tribe is now in the planning and development phase of building a community center on their reservation land. Read more about the culture and history of the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation here.

Schaghticoke Tribe: A State recognized Tribe with a reservation in Kent, west of the Housatonic River. The reservation is about 300 acres in size. The Tribe has two factions: the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation and the Schaghticoke Indian Tribe. The Schaghticoke Tribal Nation was granted federal recognition in 2004, but this recognition was later rescinded 2005 when the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) reconsidered their decision. Currently, the Schaghticoke Indian Tribe has an active petition for federal recognition with the BIA. Read more about the culture and history of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation here.

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation: A Federal and State recognized Tribe who achieved federal acknowledgment in 1983. Despite dwindled numbers and forced assimilation following the Pequot War (1636-1638) and the Treaty of Hartford, the Pequots maintained their cultural identity and eventually resettled, establishing what remains one of the longest continually occupied Tribal reservations in North America. The Tribe owns and operates Foxwoods Resort and Casino as well as the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center. Read more about the culture and history of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation here.

Mohegan Tribe: A Federal and State recognized Tribe who achieved federal acknowledgment in 1994. In the 17th century, Mohegan Sacham Uncas settled his Tribe on the west side of the Massapequotuck (Thames River), a location that became a prominent center for wampum manufacturing and trade. This land was later turned into Fort Shantok State Park by the State of Connecticut and eventually bought back by the Mohegan Tribe in 1995. Today, the Mohegan Tribe owns and operates the Mohegan Sun Casino and the Tantaquidgeon Museum in Uncasville, CT. Read more about the culture and history of the Mohegan here.

Contacts

Tribal Affairs Liaison
Danielle Russell
w: 860-424-3531 | c: 203-671-1672

Danielle.Russell@ct.gov

 

Scope of Responsibility

• Interagency relations for Tribal concerns
• Support meaningful community engagement
• Monitor legislation which impacts Tribes
• Monitor and promote grant opportunities

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Additional Resources

• CT Department of Education’s Teaching Native American Studies Guide: Teaching Native American Studies (ct.gov)
• University of Connecticut’s Land Acknowledgement Statement and Pronunciation of tribes in CT: UCONN’s land acknowledgment
• Native American Heritage Advisory Council (NAHAC): The NAHAC evaluates and makes recommendations on Native American heritage to the Office of the State Archaeologist and the Department of Economic and Community Development. Website under development.
• State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO): Provides archaeological assistance, including permits and archaeological preservation information.
• Office of State Archaeology (OSA): Responsible for archaeological preservation, excavation and repatriation efforts in Connecticut.
• Office of Legal Research Report on State Recognition of Indian Tribes (2002): https://www.cga.ct.gov/2002/rpt/2002-R-0072.htm
• Public & Special Acts Affecting Connecticut Native American Tribes, 1992-2024: Public & Special Acts Affecting Connecticut Native American Tribes, 1992-2024

  

Content last updated July 2025