Indian Gaming

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians in Alabama refused to allow a prayer ceremony at the site of a casino expansion project.

The Save Hickory Ground group came to Alabama to offer prayers to tribal ancestors who were removed from a cemetery on the site. They said they were blocked by "30 armed guards" but the tribe disputed the claim in a statement.

"As previously stated, these individuals support a lawsuit that has been filed against the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Considering that they are party to that litigation and noting that the property they wished to access is an active construction site, their access was denied. At no time was there any threat of violence or any physical altercation," the tribe told The Wetumpka Herald.

The Muscogee Nation is suing the tribe, claiming violations of federal historic preservation and religious freedom laws. The tribe also claims the Wind Creek Wetumpka site was taken into trust illegally.

The Poarch Band is spending $246 million to expand the facility.

Get the Story:
Oklahoma Creek group denied access to Poarch Creek construction zone (The Wetumpka Herald 2/15)
Creek prayer ceremony held near Wetumpka casino (The Montgomery Advertiser 2/15)
Muscogee Indians of Oklahoma Denied Access to Sacred Site at Wind Creek Casino & Hotel (WNCF-TV 2/14)

Related Stories:
Group goes ahead with ceremony at Poarch Creek casino site (2/14)