Casino site stirs debate within Quechan Nation

Monday, June 25, 2007  

The Quechan Nation broke ground on a $200 million casino earlier this month but not everyone in the tribe is happy about the project.

Tribal members and elders say the casino site is on hallowed ground. The area was used for cremating ancestors and is near Pilot Knob, one of the tribe's sacred places.

“Their blood is the same as mine,” Valerie Jose told Copley News Service. “And yet, if they are truly Quechan, they would know that they are excavating my soul."

Tribal President Mike Jackson previously said the tribe will preserve archaeological sites. But some say it is wrong to disturb the area and build anything near Pilot Knob.

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Sacred site focus of tribal tug of war (Copley News Service 6/25)