BIA seeks approval over Kialegee Tribal Town casino project

Friday, February 17, 2012  

The Bureau of Indian Affairs says two Indian woman can't lease their allotment to the Kialegee Tribal Town without federal approval.

Sister Marcella Giles and Wynema Capps, who are members of the Muscogee Nation, previously sought approval in state court to lease their land for the Red Clay Casino. But they shortened the length of the agreement and they say neither state nor federal approval is required.

The BIA believes otherwise. Karen Ketcher, the acting director for the Eastern Oklahoma regional office, is asking Giles and Capps for a copy of the lease.

"In light of the District Court's order Withholding Approval of Prime Ground Lease, we believe that the lease with Kialegee tribal town must be submitted for review and approval by the BIA," Ketcher wrote in a letter to the landowners. "To date, no lease for this parcel has been submitted to the BIA."

The tribe says it will open a temporary casino on the site this spring. Modular buildings arrived yesterday, according to news reports.

Get the Story:
BIA, ‘concerned about unauthorized use’ (The Broken Arrow Leader 2/17)
Bureau Of Indian Affairs Demands To See Lease For Broken Arrow Casino Property (News on 6 2/17)
Pre-fab buildings for Broken Arrow casino arrive amid dispute (The Tulsa World 2/17)
ureau of Indian Affairs wants to see Kialegee land lease (FOX 23 News 2/16)
Modular Buildings Moving In At Proposed Casino Site (KTUL-TV 2/16)
Progress at BA Casino Site As BIA Questions Legality of Project (KTUL-TV 2/16)
Red Clay Casino one step closer to setting up gaming (KJRH-TV 2/16)

Related Stories:
Rep. Sullivan introduces anti-Indian measure to block casinos (2/16)