Montana tribe rejects gaming compact extension

Friday, December 1, 2006  

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) remain at odds over gaming on the Flathead Reservation.

Tribal leaders on Thursday rejected a five-month extension to the compact that expired yesterday. Schweitzer made the offer in hopes of keeping gaming alive while a new agreement is negotiated.

Instead, tribal leaders resubmitted their proposal to regulate all gaming facilities, including those operated by non-Indians, on the reservation. Schweitzer has said he doesn't have the authority to sign such an agreement.

"First they ask me to grant jurisdiction, then they say we don't need to give them jurisdiction because they already have it - which way is it?" Schweitzer told The Missoulian in an interview.

The National Indian Gaming Commission has interpreted the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to authorize tribal jurisdiction over all gaming activities within the boundaries of a reservation. The NIGC says status the land -- whether held in trust or in fee -- doesn't matter.

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CSKT rejects gambling extension (The Missoulian 12/1)