Indian Gaming > Lenape man wants to bring gaming to New Jersey

November 20, 2006

Lenape man wants to bring gaming to New Jersey

A Lenape man in New Jersey says he will settle a land claim for gaming rights.

James Brent Thomas Sr., the chief of the Unalachtigo Band of the Nanticoke Leni-Lenape Nation, says his tribe owns the Brotherton Reservation. The state set aside the reservation in 1758 but sold the land in 1801, put the proceeds in trust and removed the residents to New York before they went to Wisconsin.

Thomas says the land claim is worth $17 billion but would rather open a casino. He wants 3,000 acres and exclusive gaming rights outside of Atlantic City.

The proposal has drawn fire from the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians in Wisconsin. The tribe says it is the sole successor to the Brotherton Reservation and has asked a federal judge to dismiss the case.

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