Indian Gaming > Tiny tribe dreams big with off-reservation casino

June 19, 2006

Tiny tribe dreams big with off-reservation casino

Indianz.Com Casino Stalker
Tracking casino proposals across Indian Country.

The Big Lagoon Rancheria of California, a tribe with just 21 members, is hoping to land a casino more than 700 miles from its reservation.

After years of battles in and out of the courtroom, the tribe signed a compact with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) last year. It would allow the tribe to open a casino in Barstow along with the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians.

The tribe went to Barstow because the state and local governments don't want a casino on the rancheria in northern California. The land is environmentally sensitive.

But the move has drawn opposition from other tribes. They say the tribe is "reservation shopping" and say the compact gives too much control to the state.

Chairman Virgil Moorehead has weathered the storm. As head of the tribe for the past 22 years, he's hopeful a casino will provide benefits for future generations.

Get the Story:
Betting on the future (The Eureka Times-Standard 6/18)