"Given the hostile response to the Shawnee Tribe's initial proposal for an Oklahoma City casino, we're surprised the tribe is still interested. That casino would have been near Bricktown, an idea that drew scorn from city officials. The latest proposal is for a site not far from Remington Park's racino and a host of tourist attractions. At this juncture we're less concerned over the proposal's perceived threat to Remington Park than we are the notion that a tribe can buy land and have it declared sovereign property with all the benefits that accrue to such property. The Shawnee Tribe has no land of its own (it became a federally recognized tribe only seven years ago) and thus is at a disadvantage in doing what other tribes have done to create businesses. The tribe has also been respectful of city leaders in not trying to force its will based solely on sovereignty claims. Still, the notion of land going into tribal trust simply because of a property purchase is troubling. How this controversy plays out will have a major impact on Oklahoma, for good or bad."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Troubling notion [3rd item] (The Oklahoman 11/24)
pwpwd