County blasts Mississippi Choctaws on casino

Friday, October 13, 2006  

$stalker The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is under fire for the handling of its controversial off-reservation casino proposal.

The tribe owns 100 acres in Ocean Springs, more than 200 miles from the reservation. The site is located off a major interstate in Jackson County.

County officials have said they oppose the tribe's request to use the land for a casino. The tribe filed an application for a two-part determination under Section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

As part of the process, the tribe and the Bureau of Indian Affairs are holding a public hearing in Ocean Springs on October 18. County officials say they were blindsided by the notice and didn't find out about it until it was published in the local paper.

According to The Biloxi Sun Herald, Mississippi Choctaw Chief Philip Martin signed the checks to reserve the Ocean Springs Civic Center for the hearing. The checks were written on the account of First American Printing and Direct Mail, a company the tribe operates in Ocean Springs.

The tribe argues that it may have to close its businesses in Ocean Springs unless the off-reservation casino is approved.

Get the Story:
County raps Choctaws on hearing (The Biloxi Sun Herald 10/13)
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Doubt raised about Choctaw pledge (The Mississippi Press 10/13)