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MAY 29, 2001

The Navajo community of To'hajiilee in New Mexico will be pushing harder to receive federal recognition separate from the Navajo Nation, a move which would allow the tribe to open up its own casino.

Current Navajo Nation law prohibits gaming. The To'hajiilee have voted to open a casino on their land, which is geographically separate from the Navajo reservation but it still considered part of the tribe, but it was vetoted by President Kelsey Begaye.

Since the To'hajiilee, formerly known as the Cañoncito Band, are located 25 miles west of Albuquerque, a major urban area, a casino could be a lucrative operation.

The To'hajiilee in 1989 submitted a petition for federal recognition to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1989.

Get the Story:
Community Pursues Navajo OK for Casino (The Albuquerque Journal 5/26)

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Navajo council fails to overturn gaming veto (5/16)