Compacts | Litigation | New York

Cayuga Nation disputes Oneida Nation gaming deal in court

Thursday, June 13, 2013

The Cayuga Nation went to court on Wednesday to challenge a gaming agreement between the Oneida Nation and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).

Cuomo promised the Oneida Nation a 10-county region of exclusivity in the agreement. The Cayuga Nation's land base falls within that region and would presumably be barred from engaging in Class III gaming on its territory.

"The nation, through its counsel, has repeatedly approached the state to urge that the agreement be modified," Cayuga Nation Representative Clint Halftown said in a declaration that was filed in federal court. "As of the making of this declaration, the nation and the state have been unable to reach accord on an approach that would protect the nation's rights."

Halftown's declaration notes that the tribe has a land-into-trust application pending at the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He said the Eastern Region has recommended approval of the acquisition.

The Cayuga Nation made its arguments in the land-into-trust lawsuit between the state of New York and the federal government. The Oneida Nation's agreement would settle that case.

The Cayuga Nation is seeking to intervene in the lawsuit.

Get the Story:
Cayuga Nation takes action on gaming rights deal (YNN 6/12)
Cayuga Nation moves to have Oneida Nation casino deal with NYS blocked (WSYR-TV 6/12)
Cayugas challenge Oneidas agreement (The Utica Observer-Dispatch 6/13)