Jim Gray, the outgoing chief of the Osage Nation of Oklahoma, is preparing for the next leader of his tribe.

Gray, who served as chief for eight years, expects his successor to decide whether to appeal a lawsuit over the status of the reservation. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in March ruled that the reservation was diminished by an act of Congress.

The tribe asked the 10th Circuit to rehear the case but the request was denied. The next option would be an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Gray said the tribe will file land-into-trust applications for its gaming sites in order to ensure they are operating within the law.

Get the Story:
Osage will hold runoff election for new chief (The Tulsa World 6/9)

10th Circuit Decision:
Osage Nation v. Oklahoma (March 8, 2010)

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