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Wednesday, October 1, 2003

The elected council of the Meskwaki Tribe of Iowa tried to retake the tribe's casino early this morning, according to news accounts.

A spokesperson for the elected council said people from the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) accompanied a private security firm that entered the casino. After a couple of hours, supporters of the appointed council showed up, and according to KETV, the takeover was not successful.

The move comes a day after the tribe set a recall election on November 6. Some members have sought to recall the tribal council, led by Alex Walker Jr., for nearly a year. The inaction prompted a rival group, led by Homer Bear Jr., to seize power.

The leadership dispute has kept the tribe's lucrative casino closed since May. Federal officials say a stable group has to be in power.

Get the Story:
Elected council reclaims control of Meskwaki casino (The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier 10/1)
Elected Meskwaki Council Tries to Control Casino (KETV 10/1)
Casino may reopen in 8 weeks (The Des Moines Register 10/1)

Relevant Links:
Meskwaki Tribe Litigation, 8th Circuit Court of Appeals - http://www.ca8.uscourts.gov/casino.html

Related Stories:
Meskwakis using federal funds to pay attorneys (9/16)
Meskwaki casino shutdown extended by NIGC (9/12)
Appeals court sides with NIGC on casino shutdown (08/28)
Iowa county says it will evict Meskwaki rivals (08/18)
DOI judge says Meskwaki casino should reopen (08/13)
BIA calls on Meskwaki Tribe to hold recall election (08/06)
Meskwaki factions ask court to reopen casino (07/25)
Meskwaki factions and NIGC head to court on casino (7/24)
Appeals court holding hearing on Meskwaki casino (07/09)
Meskwaki dispute centers on recall petitions (7/7)
Meskwaki faction agrees to create election board (7/3)
Meskwaki faction votes to oust law firm (6/27)
Meskwaki faction says BIA agreed to election (6/23)
DOI meeting with Meskwaki Tribe canceled (6/20)
DOI to discuss Meskwaki leadership dispute (6/19)
Editorial: Don't interfere in tribal affairs (6/19)
Meskwaki faction wants to fire rival law firm (6/10)
8th Circuit court won't reopen Meswaki casino (05/30)
8th Circuit reviewing Meskwaki casino shutdown (5/28)
BIA won't recognize Meskwaki Tribe election (5/27)
Federal marshals close Meskwaki Tribe's casino (5/23)
Meskwaki voters asked to choose new leaders (5/22)
Meskwaki voters urged to vote for new council (5/21)
NIGC asks court to close Meskwaki Tribe's casino (5/20)
Judge calls for receivership for Meskwaki funds (5/19)
Meskwaki casino stays open during leadership spat (5/15)
NIGC orders Meskwaki Tribe to close casino (5/14)
State threatens Meskwaki compact over dispute (5/9)
Meskwaki factions can't agree on discussions (5/8)
Talks between Meskwaki leaders break down (5/6)
Meskwaki Tribe works to resolve dispute (5/5)
NIGC says Meskwaki Tribe in violation of IGRA (5/1)
Meskwaki leadership dispute continues (4/30)
Editorial: NIGC should interfere in tribal dispute (04/24)
NIGC threatens to close Meskwaki Tribe's casino (4/23)
Meskwaki leadership dispute won't affect payroll (4/18)
Federal judge won't intervene in Meskwaki dispute (4/16)
Meskwaki Tribe undergoing leadership struggle (4/10)
Meskwaki tribal council removed and replaced (03/27)

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