Spokane Tribe blasts opposition to off-reservation casino plans

Thursday, November 17, 2011  

The Spokane Tribe of Washington says opposition to its off-reservation casino is coming primarily from the Kalispel Tribe.

The Spokanes want to build a $150 million gaming facility in Airway Heights. That's where the Kalispels already operate an off-reservation casino.

"This is not their ancestral territory,” Spokane Vice Chairman Mike Spencer said of the Kalispels, The Spokesman Review reported.

The Spokane Tribe is proceeding under the two-part determination section of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The casino will need federal and state approval.

In the history of IGRA, only three tribes have opened casinos under the two-part determination section. The Kalispels are one of the three.

Get the Story:
Spokane Tribe lambastes critics of proposed casino (The Spokesman Review 11/17)
Spokane Tribe face opposition with plans for resort hotel (Northwest Cable News 11/16)

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Letter: Spokane Tribe off-reservation casino all about greed (11/11)
Spokane Tribe starts project at off-reservation casino site (11/4)
County neutral on Spokane Tribe's off-reservation casino (10/28)
Editorial: Spokane Tribe doesn't need off-reservation casino (10/11)
BIA sees opposition to Spokane Tribe off-reservation casino bid (10/7)
Spokane Tribe promises millions from off-reservation casino (6/22)
Commentary: Kalispel Tribe nervous about Spokane casino (5/5)
Kalispel Tribe worried about Spokane off-reservation casino (5/4)
Spokane Tribe gathering support for off-reservation casino (5/3)
Group's web site criticizes Spokane off-reservation casino (4/22)