"Tohono O'odham Nation is a native band that is planning to build a casino inside Glendale’s city limits. The city spent the last two years and $1.3-million (and counting) fighting Tohono O’odham in court. And losing.

The natives recently received a U.S. District Court ruling that upheld a federal decision moving the land the tribe owns and wants to use for the casino and resort into the native reservation system. That means Glendale cannot collect any taxes on the land and the band can use it just about any way they please. Glendale says it will appeal the decision.

City officials say they are opposed to the casino because they will have to build infrastructure to service it and will not receive any revenue from the land or the casino. Plus, the casino will take business away from local merchants.

But what if the city had worked with Tohono O’odham from the start? Say it negotiated a deal in which Glendale provided the necessary infrastructure in exchange for a healthy share of the casino profits? That seemed to work in Pittsburgh, where the Penguins are enjoying a huge boost in revenue in their new arena, which is being paid for by a slice of the profits from a local casino."

Get the Story:
Glendale loves a costly fight (The Globe and Mail 3/15)

District Court Decision:
Gila River Indian Community v. DOI (March 3, 2011)

Related Stories:
Some residents urge city to drop Tohono O'odham casino appeal (3/15)
Tohono O'odham Nation awaits decision on off-reservation casino (3/14)
Editorial: Ruling on off-reservation casino ignores consequences (3/7)
Judge rejects lawsuit on Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino (3/4)
Another tribe opposes Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino (2/24)
Tribal gaming group remains neutral in off-reservation debate (2/23)
Judge vows ruling on Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino (2/18)
Judge hears suit over Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino (2/17)
New angle in feud over Tohono O'odham off reservation casino (2/16)
Another suit filed over Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino (2/15)
Tohono O'odham Nation sues Arizona over land annexation law (2/11)
Judge sets hearing in Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino bid (2/10)
Editorial: State unfair in Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino bid (2/7)
Tohono O'odham Nation pushes for ruling on off-reservation casino (2/3)
Arizona governor signs Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino bill (2/2)
Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino bill being sent to governor (1/27)
Bill against Tohono O'odham Nation off-reservation casino passes (1/26)
Lawmakers take up Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino bills (1/25)
Lawmakers target Tohono O'odham Nation off-reservation casino (1/21)
Hearing set in Tohono O'odham Nation off-reservation casino suit (1/20)
Blog: No fairness in Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino plan (1/19)
Tohono O'odham Nation updates plans for off-reservation casino (1/13)