The Keetoowah Cherokee Casino in better days. Photo from Facebook
A federal judge accepted briefs in a gaming dispute between the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians and the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Both tribes, along with the Department of Justice submitted proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to the court on Monday. At issue is whether the Bureau of Indian Affairs can place the site of the Keetoowah Cherokee Casino in Tahlequah in trust. The Cherokees claim they are the only tribe that can acquire land within the former Cherokee Reservation. The BIA concluded otherwise and was prepared to place the casino site in trust until the lawsuit was filed. Since the site isn't in trust, the UKBs had to close the casino in August 2013 as part of an agreement with the state. The Cherokees have since announced plans for a $170 million in gaming and retail development in Tahlequah. Judge Gregory Frizzell held five hours of oral arguments in July on the matter. He hasn't said when he will rule. Get the Story:
Legal battle over UKB’s land-in-trust application continues (The Tahlequah Daily Press 9/11) Relevant Documents:
DOJ Brief | Cherokee Nation Brief | UKB Brief
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