Spokane Tribe seeks equal footing with off-reservation casino

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The Spokane Tribe of Washington is trying to build support for an off-reservation casino.

The tribe wants to use 145 acres in Airway Heights for a casino and other development. But opposition is coming from the Kalispel Tribe, which operates the Northern Quest Resort and Casino just a few miles away.

"We're not saying close the doors on Northern Quest Casino, we're just saying congratulations on being successful, now we are asking for that same opportunity and that's it," Jamie SiJohn, a spokesperson for the Spokane Tribe, said at an open house KXLY reported.

The Spokane Tribe is proceeding under the two-part determination section of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The Kalispel Tribe opened its casino under the same process.

Get the Story:
Spokane Tribe Holds Open House For Casino Project (KXLY-TV 11/28)
Spokane Tribe hosts open houses on proposed casino (Northwest Cable News 11/28)

Some Opinions:
Bret Michael Wheeler: Base encroachment an issue (The Spokesman Review 11/28)
Greg Mahugh: Don’t buy casino spin (The Spokesman Review 11/28)