Fort Sill Apache Tribe hopes to sway opinions on gaming plans

Tuesday, December 6, 2011  

The Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma is hoping to change minds on its proposed casino in southern New Mexico.

The tribe has scheduled a community forum tomorrow in Deming to discuss plans for its 30-acre reservation. One believer -- Mary Galbraith, executive director of the Deming Chamber of Commerce -- said the casino will bring jobs to Luna County.

“The people were very much in favor of it because it is going to create jobs – a lot of jobs,” Galbraith told the Associated Press.

Chairman Jeff Haozous also hopes to meet with Frederick Chino Sr., the new president of the Mescalero Apache Nation. The tribe's old leader was against the Fort Sill casino.

Finally, Haozous thinks Gov. Susana Martinez (R) is more open to the casino than her predecessor. Martinez is from southern New Mexico.

Get the Story:
Fort Sill Apache lobbying for casino support (AP 12/4)

Federal Register Notice:
Proclaiming Certain Lands as Reservation for the Fort Sill Apache Indian Tribe (November 28, 2011)

Related Stories:
Sen. Bingaman urges DOI to deny Fort Sill Apache Tribe casino (12/2)
Mescalero Apache Nation against Fort Sill Apache casino plan (11/30)
Fort Sill Apache Tribe hopes to stimulate economy with casino (11/29)
Fort Sill Apache Tribe to discuss plan for casino on reservation (11/28)
Fort Sill Apache Tribe closer to opening casino in New Mexico (11/23)