Fort Sill Apache Tribe closer to opening casino in New Mexico

Wednesday, November 23, 2011  

The Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma has moved one step closer to opening a casino in in southern New Mexico, its ancestral territory.

After waiting more than four years, the tribe said the Bureau of Indian Affairs issued a reservation proclamation for a 30-acre site that was placed in trust in 2002. The decision means gaming could take place on the property, although a determination apparently has not been made by the Obama administration.

“This has been a very long time coming,” Chairman Jeff Haozous said in a press release, The Albuquerque Journal reported. “After decades of continued effort to return to our legal and ancestral homeland, we are elated that the U.S. Government has officially granted us this Reservation Proclamation."

Get the Story:
Fort Sill Apaches Win Claim (The Albuquerque Journal 11/23)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Fort Sill Apache Tribe deserves a chance at gaming (11/21)
Fort Sill Apache Tribe not giving up New Mexico casino plan (11/14)