The Osage Nation of Oklahoma has submitted land-into-trust applications for three gaming facilities.
The tribe opened the facilities after the National Indian Gaming Commission said any land within the Osage Reservation qualified for gaming.
But the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the reservation was diminished by an act of Congress, prompting the tribe to start the land-into-trust process.
"We continue to receive very good news from the Department of Interior about the progress of our land-into-trust applications,” Chief John Red Eagle said in a press release. “The Department’s approval process, in this instance, may be a matter of weeks rather than months, barring any unforeseen problems. That is unprecedented. The Osage Nation is extremely grateful to Secretary Salazar and his staff at all levels for this speedy process.”
The applications cover the Osage Million Dollar Elm Casinos in Tulsa, Skiatook and Ponca City.
Get the Story:Osage seek trust status for three Million Dollar Elm casinos (The Tulsa World 2/1) 10th Circuit Decision:
Osage Nation v. Oklahoma (March 5, 2010) NIGC Indian Land Opinion:
Osage Nation - Within Reservation Boundaries (July 28, 2005)