Tribes sue over Ho-Chunk Nation off-reservation casino site

Friday, August 23, 2013  

Two Chippewa tribes are suing the city of Beloit, Wisconsin, over land that's being sold to the Ho-Chunk Nation for an off-reservation casino.

The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the St. Croix Chippewa Indians say they have an option to the land. But the city says the option is tied to a casino development.

The two tribes pursued a casino in Beloit but their plans were rejected by the Bush administration. They have not submitted an application to the Obama administration.

The Ho-Chunk Nation, however, has started the process. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is preparing an environmental impact statement for the casino.

The Ho-Chunk Nation agreed to buy land from the city but the deal hasn't closed due to litigation from the Chippewa tribes. The Ho-Chunks also purchased an adjacent 40-acre site from a private owner that the Chippewa tribes had an option on.

Get the Story:
City expects to win lawsuit in land dispute by Chippewa (The Beloit Daily News 8/23)

Ho-Chunk Nation still working on off-reservation casino bid (5/20)