Litigation

Gun Lake Tribe secures strong local support in casino case except for one town

Friday, October 13, 2017

Local governments are backing the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe, as it defends its casino before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Except for Hopkins Township that is. Leaders in the community refused to sign onto a brief in Patchak v. Zinke despite extensive debate on the issue, MLive reported.

But the discussion, while it exposed some anti-tribal sentiments among local officials, was all for nothing. The board's October 9 vote against joining the brief came well after it had been submitted to the nation's highest court on September 18.

"The tribe will continue to forge close working relationships with all the municipalities in the area," spokesperson James Nye told MLive.

The justices will hear the case on November 7. The outcome will determine whether Congress was within its powers to protect the Gun Lake Casino from litigation.

Except for Hopkins, local governments and interests are urging the court to affirm the Gun Lake Trust Land Reaffirmation Act, the 2014 law that confirmed that the casino site is in trust. The National Congress of American Indians, Indian law scholars and even the U.S. House of Representatives are also supporting the tribe.

Read More on the Story:
Hopkins declines to join neighbors in supporting casino in high court case (MLive October 12, 2017)

D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Decision:
Patchak v. Jewell (July 15, 2016)

U.S. Supreme Court Decision:
Patchak v. Jewell (June 18, 2012)

Prior D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Decision:
Patchak v. Salazar (January 21, 2011)