A tiny California tribe with just a handful of adult members can engage in gaming on its rancheria, the National Indian Gaming Commission ruled on June 30.
In a memorandum [Link], the NIGC's acting general counsel said casino proposed by the Buena Vista Band of Me-Wuk Indians satisfies the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The casino is located on Indian lands and the tribe, which was terminated illegally, has jurisdiction over those lands, the memo stated.
The tribe consists of one woman, who serves as chair, and another woman and her adult children. A feud erupted when the two women each claimed control.
Lobbyists and lawyers representing the women waged a high-stakes battle that eventually led to the firing of former Bureau of Indian Affairs deputy Wayne Smith, and a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing [Witness List | Video].
The dispute was later settled with Rhonda Morningstar Pope taking control. Before he was ousted, Smith was prepared to uphold a decision that recognized Pope as the legitimate leader.
A Republican operative working for Donnamarie Potts, Pope's rival, claimed credit for a campaign against Smith that suggested he was using his influence to help a former business partner land clients.
Get the Story:
Indian gaming panel backs casino
(The Sacramento Bee 7/9)
pwpwd
NIGC
NIGC: California tribe can build casino on rancheria
Monday, July 11, 2005 More from this date
NIGC: California tribe can build casino on rancheria
Monday, July 11, 2005 More from this date
Join the Conversation
Stay Connected
Contact Us
indianz@indianz.com202 630 8439 (THEZ)
Search
Top Indian Gaming Stories
Trending in Gaming
1 Catawba Nation continues work on controversial casino in North Carolina
2 Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes move forward with casino expansion
3 Poarch Band of Creek Indians said to be on Trump's radar
4 Hopi Tribe officially joins Indian gaming industry with approved compact
5 Seminole Tribe paid just $50M for casino Donald Trump built for $1.2B
2 Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes move forward with casino expansion
3 Poarch Band of Creek Indians said to be on Trump's radar
4 Hopi Tribe officially joins Indian gaming industry with approved compact
5 Seminole Tribe paid just $50M for casino Donald Trump built for $1.2B
More Stories
Gaming changes way of life for Wisconsin Oneidas Column: State tries to get $30M from tribe's account
Indian Gaming Archive