A family from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina will get a chance to prevent their mother's land from being used for a gaming facility.

The tribal council voted 10-2 on July 14 to seize 205 acres. But after hearing complaints about the process, tribal leaders referred the issue to tribal court.

At issue is a will left by the late Gladys Wright, who was a tribal member. She apparently intended to leave the land for her children in the form of a life estate.

The tribe originally wanted to buy the land but attorney general Annette Tarnawsky said there were issues with the title. Wright's will apparently lacked two signatures as required under tribal law.

The property sits next to land that the tribe purchased with the intent of developing a Class II gaming facility.

Get the Story:
Tribal council kicks controversial land ownership to courts (The Smoky Mountain News 8/10)

Related Stories:
Eastern Cherokees rescind decision to take land for new casino (8/5)
Eastern Cherokee family upset with seizure of land for casino (8/3)
Eastern Cherokees seize 205 acres for potential gaming facility (7/27)