The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma are willing to settle treaty claims to 27 million acres of land in Colorado for 500 acres and a casino.

The tribes have partnered with the Native American Lands Group, a consortium of Alaska Native interests, for the Homecoming Project. They say several communities in northeastern Colorado are interested. But Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.), a Cheyenne descendant, told The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner that he opposes the "sacrilegious" proposal.

The tribes want to build a $150 million casino, travel center and Plains Indian Cultural and Media Center on the 500 acres. They say it will create jobs and generate revenues.

The tribes called Colorado home before they were removed to Oklahoma, Wyoming and Montana. Cheyennes and Arapahos were massacred by Army soldiers at Sand Creek in 1864. "Many people, including me, think it might be sacrilegious to link gambling to the Sand Creek Massacre," Campbell was quoted as saying.

Get the Story:
Gambling supporter says towns clamoring (The Denver Rocky Mountain News 1/15)
Stevens linked to proposed Indian casino in Colorado (The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 1/15)

Relevant Links:
Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma - http://www.cheyenne-arapaho.nsn.us

Related Stories:
Harjo: Secrets of the Sand Creek land purchase (12/22)