Indian family in Washington still pursuing casino on trust land


An Indian allotment at 1321 North Callow Avenue in Bremerton, Washington. Image from Google Maps

Members of the Samish Nation of Washington are still interested in turning their family's allotment into a casino but they don't seem to be making any progress.

The tribe isn't interested in developing the 0.79-acre allotment at 1321 North Callow Avenue in Bremerton. Samish headquarters are 144 miles away.

“They always hoped we’d get behind something, but at 0.79 acre, it’s really small," Leslie Eastwood, the tribe's general manager told The Bremerton Patriot. "We’ve never been able to wrap our minds around something there.”

The property falls with the traditional territory of the Suquamish Tribe. The family hasn't been able to get anyone on board there either.

“We don’t have a clear tribe of jurisdiction," developer Ron Ragge, who is working with the family, told the paper.

Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, a tribe must exercise "governmental power" over a potential gaming site. The Suquamish Tribe issues a permit for a fireworks stand at the site every year.

Get the Story:
Callow Avenue casino proposal at an impasse (The Bremerton Patriot 7/30)

An Opinion:
Editorial: Work together to determine best course for development of 1321 Callow Avenue (The Bremerton Patriot 7/30)

Related Stories
Samish Nation isn't interested in pursuing casino on allotment (09/26)
Indian family in Washington continues bid for casino on allotment (9/16)
Descendants want off-reservation casino at Indian allotment (6/16)

Join the Conversation