6th Circuit issues stay in Soo Tribe off-reservation casino case


Artist's rendering of the proposed Kewadin Lansing Casino. Image from Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians

The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals has put a hold on an off-reservation gaming case involving the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Michigan.

The court issued a stay so Attorney General Bill Schuette can appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. A petition is due May 14, The Lansing State Journal reported.

At issue is whether the tribe can be sued for proposing the $245 million Kewadin Lansing Casino. The 6th Circuit said nothing in the Class III gaming compact or the Michigan Indian Land Claims Settlement Act waived the tribe's sovereign immunity.

The tribe has not filed a land-into-trust application with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and hasn't taken other actions that would trigger federal review of the project.

Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Michigan v. Sault St. Marie Tribe.

Get the Story:
Lansing casino project on hold after court decision (The Lansing State Journal 2/25)
Lansing tribal casino again halted amid legal battle with state of Michigan (MLive 2/24)

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Soo Tribe off-reservation casino case headed to Supreme Court (02/17)

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