The Fort Sill Apache Reservation in southern New Mexico. Photo © Fort Sill Apache Tribe.
The Fort Sill Apache Tribe is pushing the state of New Mexico to come to table to discuss gaming but Gov. Susana Martinez (R) is resisting. The tribe has a 30-acre reservation in the southern part of the state. The land isn't eligible for a casino since it was placed in trust after 1988, the National Indian Gaming Commission determined. So the tribe is pursuing the casino under the two-part determination provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The Bureau of Indian Affairs sent a consultation letter to Martinez but her office claims the Apaches don't belong in the state. "The federal government does not recognize Fort Sill as a New Mexico tribe, finding that they lack any government structure or population base in New Mexico," a spokesperson for Martinez told The Los Angeles Times. The Apaches have been locked out of other official tribal-state dealings as well. So they are suing Martinez in federal court, saying the issue is about more than just gaming. "It's frustrating given our history.... I want to redeem the loss our people suffered," Chairman Jeff Haozous told the paper. The BIA letter was sent in May 2012. The agency hasn't published notice of a draft environmental impact statement for the project, the usual first step in the process. Get the Story:
Fort Sill Apache tribe says its roots are in New Mexico (The Los Angeles Times 1/14) Federal Register Notice:
Proclaiming Certain Lands as Reservation for the Fort Sill Apache Indian Tribe (November 28, 2011) NIGC Indian Land Opinions:
May 19, 2008 | April 30, 2009 Related Stories:
Jeff Haozous: Fort Sill Apache Tribe at home in New Mexico (1/6)
New Mexico county supports Fort Sill Apache Tribe casino bid (04/10)
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