Pataki tries to get two out-of-state tribes to agree

Wednesday, April 7, 2004  

Negotiators for New York Gov. George Pataki (R) tried to get the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans and the Oneida Nation, both of Wisconsin, to agree to cooperate on a Catskills casino, The Albany Times-Union reports.

The deal has apparently been rejected by the Oneida Nation. But the chairman of the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe said talks are ongoing.

Pataki earlier rejected any sort of deal with tribes based out-of-state. But he has failed to sign any compacts for three Catskills casinos he promised after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe is furthest along in the process, having been given preliminary approval for an off-reservation land acquisition in the Catskills. But the tribe has not signed a compact yet.

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Tribes aren't likely to unite for Catskills casino (The Albany Times-Union 4/7)