Indian Gaming > Oklahoma tribe seeks Oklahoma City casino

July 11, 2005

Oklahoma tribe seeks Oklahoma City casino

An Oklahoma tribe that was recognized by an act of Congress is floating plans for a casino in downtown Oklahoma City, The Oklahoman reports.

The tribe, previously a part of the Cherokee Nation, was recognized as a separate entity by the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act of 2000. The bill states that the tribe can obtain trust lands in Oklahoma and that the Bureau of Indian Affairs "shall" acquire the land [Bill Text: See Title VII: Shawnee Tribe Status].

The tribe at the time was represented by Ross Swimmer, who is now Special Trustee. He has publicly taken credit for helping the tribe get recognized [Senate Lobbying Records]. Swimmer is a member of the Cherokee Nation, which supported the measure.

The tribe is now represented by Margaret Swimmer, who is married to Ross Swimmer. She told The Oklahoman that she will be working with the BIA on the trust land issue.

The bill appears to give the tribe the right to select lands just about anywhere in the state under one condition: If the land falls within the jurisdiction of another tribe, the Shawnees must obtain that tribe's consent. Oklahoma City, however, is not within any tribal area.

The tribe previously made a bid for 9,000 acres in Kansas, where its last reservation was located. The tribe was eligible to receive the land because it was government surplus but Congress passed a law that passed over the process, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in May.

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Tribe seeks Bricktown casino (The Oklahoman 7/10)
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