The Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona continues to pursue an off-reservation casino despite obstacles in the courts and in Congress. The tribe announced the West Valley Resort in January 2009, a move that spawned a series of lawsuits in the state and federal courts. Although every single ruling has gone in favor of the tribe, some issues remain unresolved so the project remains on hold. One affects the land-into-trust application for the casino site. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has been ordered to take a second look at the matter in light of the tribe's land claim settlement. A second issue affects the ability of the tribe to be sued. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has been accepting briefs but the state of Arizona is seeking a delay in proceedings in light of Michigan v. Bay Mills Indian Community, an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case affecting the sovereign immunity of another tribe. Several members of Congress, meanwhile, have introduced bills to stop the casino despite the tribe's victories. The House passed H.R.1410, the Keep the Promise Act, in September. "They realize they aren’t winning on the way the law is currently written, so the only alternative is to change it,” Chairman Ned Norris said at recent event, Independent Newsmedia reported. “The Tohono Nation has the rights pursuant to federal law and pursuant to our contract with the state of Arizona to establish this project.” Get the Story:
Tohono nation optimistic about casino (Independent Newsmedia 11/19)
State pushes to delay court hearing on West Valley casino (Capitol Media Services 11/19)
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