Narragansett man says gaming issue hurts tribe

Tuesday, November 21, 2006  

A member of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island says leaders are spending too much time and effort on getting a casino.

Lawrence Ollivierre said gaming has held up progress for over a decade. He blamed Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas, who is seeking re-election, and said the casino has led to the removal of dozens of people from the tribe.

Voters defeated the tribe's casino referendum on November 7. But council member Randy Noka, who is also up for re-election, doesn't think that's the end of the issue.

"I, for one, don't see the tribe ever giving up on a casino or some kind of gaming establishment," Noka told Turn to 10 News.

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against the referendum on Monday.

Get the Story:
Casino Undermining Narragansett Tribe, Member Says (Turn to 10 News 11/20)
Lawsuit over casino question dismissed (The Providence Journal 11/21)
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