Litigation continues over Tohono O'odham Nation casino plan

Wednesday, January 16, 2013  

The Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona has won several rounds of litigation but opponents of the tribe's off-reservation casino continue to fight in court.

In September 2012, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Bureau of Indian Affairs must place land in trust for the proposed West Valley Resort. Despite the victory, the state of Arizona, the Gila River Indian Community and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community are claiming that the casino should be barred for another reason.

A motion for summary judgment argues that the Tohono O'odham Nation intended to violate the Class III gaming compact by seeking a casino away from its reservation. The filing claims tribal leaders tried to keep their plans a secret while the compact was being debated statewide.

"This is merely their latest attempt at misinformation, and it will prove as unsuccessful as it has before," Chairman Ned Norris Jr., told The Arizona Republic in response.

Turtle Talk has posted the latest documents from the case, Arizona v. Tohono O’odham Nation.

Get the Story:
Filing: Tribe planned to violate casino pact (The Arizona Republic 1/16)

9th Circuit Decision:
Glendale v. US (September 11, 2012)

Tribes aim to influence vote in off-reservation gaming dispute (11/20)