Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe asks for study of casino site

Monday, May 3, 2010  

The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota says a proposed casino just across the border in Iowa could harm sacred sites.

The proposed Larchwood casino is near Blood Run, a significant village and inter-tribal trading site in South Dakota and Iowa, and Gitchie Manitou State Preserve in Iowa. The area is known to contain burial grounds, villages and other archaeological sites.

According to the tribe, as many as 27 tribes have ties to the site. "Their job is to protect sacred sites. That's what we want to take a look at," Sam Allen, a tribal official, told The Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

The tribe asked the State Historical Society of Iowa and the South Dakota State Historical Society to look into the issue. The tribe says the casino might need to be reviewed by the federal government.

The tribe is proposing an off-reservation casino near Sioux Falls to counteract the Iowa bid. The tribe's on-reservation casino depends on gamblers from the Sioux Falls area.

Get the Story:
Tribe seeks study of casino site (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 5/2)

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Debate: Flandreau Santee Sioux off-reservation casino (4/16)
Investor not worried about tribal off-reservation casino (4/15)
Candidates respond to Flandreau off-reservation casino (4/14)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe eyes off-reservation casino (4/12)