New York tribes oppose land claim for casino deals

Thursday, December 9, 2004  

Two New York-based tribes are opposing land claim settlements that would allow out-of-state tribes to open casinos in the Catskills.

The Oneida Nation and the Seneca Nation say Gov. George Pataki (R) flip-flopped on his prior opposition to negotiating with out-of-state tribes. The two New York tribes say the casino deals will result in money leaving the state.

Pataki has settled with the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma, the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohicans from Wisconsin. The tribes agreed to drop their land claims in exchange for gaming rights in the Catskills. Some of the deals allow the tribes to reclaim land.

Pataki says the casinos will generate revenue and jobs for the state. The tribes have agreed to share gaming revenues and collect state taxes on the sale of goods.

Get the Story:
Emotions high over Wisconsin tribe's land-claim settlement (Gannett News Service 12/9)
Deal with Wis. tribes stirs protest (The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle 12/9)
Wisconsin tribes could build big NY casinos (The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 12/9)
Pataki: Deal would end land claim (The Oneida Dispatch 12/9)
Pataki switches courses on out-of-state tribes gaming in New York (AP 12/8)