A view of the Buffalo Thunder Resort at Pojoaque Pueblo in New Mexico. Photo from Facebook
Pojoaque Pueblo continues to resist a new Class III gaming compact that 13 other tribes in New Mexico have signed. The tribe was operating under a compact that capped the revenue sharing rate at 8 percent. The new deal includes provisions that raise the rate as high as 10.5 percent. “At 10 percent, we will have to fire employees,” Gov. Joseph Talachy told Indian Country Today. “Social programs would have to be cut, and our capital improvement money would take a hit.” The Bureau of Indian Affairs noted the increase when it reviewed the new compact. But it allowed the agreement to take effect because some of the tribes said they benefited from other provisions. Pojoaque Pueblo's compact expired on June 30 but the U.S. Attorney's Office said it won't take action against the tribe while a lawsuit is pending in federal court. The state is trying to prevent the BIA from issuing Class III gaming procedures for the tribe. A judge sided with the state in a decision last October. The case is now pending before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Get the Story:
Pojoaque Tribe Says New Mexico Is Bullying Them Into Higher Revenue Sharing Rate (indian Country Today 7/15) Relevant Documents:
BIA Deemed Approved Letter (June 9, 2015) Federal Register Notice:
Indian Gaming (June 22, 2015)
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