Salazar tells BIA to continue work on    gaming land applications

Salazar tells BIA to continue work on gaming land applications (June 28, 2010)

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar told the Bureau of Indian Affairs to move forward with pending gaming land applications but did not offer any new policy in a memo that was released today. Salazar asked Assistant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk to...

BIA official warns of  rejection for  off-reservation gaming pact

BIA official warns of rejection for off-reservation gaming pact (June 28, 2010)

It looks like the Bureau of Indian Affairs is sticking to a Bush-era policy regarding Class III gaming compacts for off-reservation casino sites. In 2005, the Bush administration said it would disapprove compacts that refer to sites that are "not...

County waits for ruling in case against Mechoopda  Tribe casino

County waits for ruling in case against Mechoopda Tribe casino (June 28, 2010)

Officials in Butte County, California, are waiting for a decision in their lawsuit that seeks to stop the Mechoopda Tribe from building a casino. The county sued the National Indian Gaming Commission for issuing an Indian lands determination that...

Salt River Tribe delays opening of hotel at casino  for  fire safety

Salt River Tribe delays opening of hotel at casino for fire safety (June 28, 2010)

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Community of Arizona opened the $440 Talking Stick Resort to the public in April but the hotel remains closed due to fire safety issues. The tribe's fire department has withheld a certificate of occupancy for the...

Column: Governor threatens Mississippi  Choctaws over casino

Column: Governor threatens Mississippi Choctaws over casino (June 28, 2010)

"Now comes the modern day Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians with a plan to build a small casino on tribal property in Jones County near Sandersville. Local opposition has come on several fronts - all legitimate - on moral, religious...

Opinion: Sioux  tribes should push for an off-reservation casino

Opinion: Sioux tribes should push for an off-reservation casino (June 28, 2010)

"Instead of all the handwringing that's going on, it's time for the Native American tribes in South Dakota - all of them, not just the one in Flandreau - accompanied by business leaders from the eastern part of the state...