Osage Nation expects word on gaming applications 'this week'

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Osage Nation of Oklahoma excepts to hear word on land-into-trust applications for three gaming facilities "this week" or possibly "next week," an official said.

The tribe opened the facilities after the National Indian Gaming Commission said any land within the Osage Reservation qualified for gaming. But the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the reservation was diminished by an act of Congress, prompting the tribe to start the land-into-trust process.

"We still need to have this land put in trust for the three casinos," Chris White, the tribe's executive director of legislative affairs, told The Tulsa World. "Those applications are moving forward as expected. We think if it's not this week, it will be next week."

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Osage Nation v. Irby on Monday. Despite the move, the tribe believes the reservation still exists.

Congress set aside all of Osage County as the reservation in 1972. The 10th Circuit said the reservation was diminished by another law in 1906.

The reservation consists of trust land and restricted allotments, the court said.

Get the Story:
Osage chief insists county never lost its status (The Tulsa World 6/28)

10th Circuit Decision:
Osage Nation v. Irby (March 5, 2010)

NIGC Indian Land Opinion:
Osage Nation - Within Reservation Boundaries (July 28, 2005)