New Mexico governor still against Fort Sill Apache Tribe casino

Monday, June 11, 2012  

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez (R) remains opposed to an off-reservation casino for the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs recently sent a consultation letter to Martinez about the proposed casino. But her spokesperson told the Associated Press she won't agree to it despite some local support.

The AP didn't say whether the tribe has met with Martinez but Bob Haozous, a tribal member who lives in New Mexico, has been promoting the casino around the state. "We haven't had a homeland since 1886," he told the AP.

The tribe's ancestors lived in New Mexico before being taken as prisoners of war and eventually removed to Oklahoma. The tribe now has a 30-acre reservation in New Mexico.

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