A controversial off-reservation casino in Oregon is pitting tribes against each other in a war of words.

The Warm Springs Tribes signed a compact with Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) for a casino near Portland. The casino would be the first off-reservation one in the state.

The deal prompted the Confederated Grand Ronde Tribes to join with a coalition and run ads criticizing Kulongoski. The ads don't mention the Warm Springs by name but tribal chairman Ron Suppah is taking great offense.

Suppah wrote a letter to Grand Ronde chair Cheryle Kennedy, blasting the tribe for supporting the ads. He said that the Warm Springs Tribes never criticized the Grande Ronde for once seeking an off-reservation casino and that the Warm Springs Tribes supported the restoration of Grand Rondes, who were terminated.

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Tribal rift deepens over casino (The Oregonian 6/24)