New Mexico governor not ready for out-of-state tribes

Wednesday, January 31, 2007  

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) is not ready to welcome two out-of-state tribes who are eyeing casinos in the Land of Enchantment.

The Tigua Tribe of Texas and the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma have started the land-into-trust process to open casinos in southern New Mexico. But Richardson said he's not thrilled with the idea.

"I already believe there's too much gaming in New Mexico," Richardson told The Las Cruces Sun-News. "As far as the Tiguas and the Fort Sill, I'm not terribly enthused about either one."

Ancestors of both tribes lived in southern New Mexico. The Tiguas moved to Texas as part of the Pueblo Revolt against Spain in 1680, while Fort Sill Apache ancestors were imprisoned and removed to Oklahoma in the late 1800s.

Get the Story:
Gov. may not support new casinos (The Las Cruces Sun-News 1/31)