Fruitport Backs LRB Off-Reservation Casino Proposal

From Indianz:

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians won support for its off-reservation casino in Muskegon, Michigan.

The Fruitport Township Board voted 4-3 on a resolution in favor of the casino at the defunct Great Lakes Downs. Residents said they welcomed the jobs the facility would create. The tribe operates the Little River Casino on its reservation, about 80 miles from the proposed gaming site.

Get the Story:
Divided Fruitport Township Board supports casino (The Muskegon Chronicle 7/29)

Nebraska v. US DOI et al — Ponca Restored Lands Decision

Here are the materials in this case, filed in the Southern District of Iowa.

neb-v-doi-complaint [includes NIGC legal memorandum and NIGC Final Decision]

neb-v-doi-us-motion-to-dismiss

Erik Jensen on Gaming on Newly-Acquired Indian Lands

Erik Jensen has published “Indian Gaming on Newly Acquired Lands” in the Washburn Law Journal, and it is available on SSRN. Here is the abstract:

This symposium article examines the meaning of the term “Indian lands” – the lands that might become sites for Indian gaming-in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. At its core, the term is unambiguous: it includes reservations and other lands that, at the time of IGRA’s enactment, were held in trust by the United States for the benefit of American Indian nations. But “Indian lands” can include much more. Indeed, it is possible for real estate having only the most tenuous historical connections with a tribe (perhaps having no connections at all) to become “Indian lands.” The treatment of so-called “newly acquired lands” has potentially far-reaching economic consequences for American Indian nations, but also for non-Indian populations, which can share in the benefits of tribal economic development. Along the way, the article discusses the basics of IGRA, recent developments affecting newly acquired lands, and whether an expansive conception of “Indian lands” is a good thing.

Ho-Chunk Nation Reply Brief in HCN v. Wisconsin Cert Petition

Here is it: hcn-reply-brief

And here is the cert opposition: wisconsin-cert-opposition

Earlier materials are here.

Update in CECGAC v. Hogen Case re: Seneca Gaming Case

The plaintiff, CECGAC, have moved to enforce the judgment rendered earlier this month regarding the Buffalo parcel where the Seneca Nation of Indians have been operating a casino. The United States has moved to remand the case back the National Indian Gaming Commission to reconsider the parcel in light of the new Section 20 regulations [25 CFR Part 292], and the Senecas have filed an amicus brief in support.

cegcac-motion-to-enforce-judgment

federal-defendants-motion-for-remand

seneca-amicus-brief-re-remand

ICT Article on New Grand Traverse Band Casino

From ICT:

WILLIAMSBURG, Mich. – Go green!

That might be the new motto for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

The northern Michigan tribe, which opened the doors to its rebuilt Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel in June, has received much fanfare for creating an eco-friendly gaming destination.

The project didn’t come without apprehension, though.

As GTB officials excitedly toured tribal casinos in their state and visited gaming properties in Las Vegas during planning stages of their new Turtle Creek property, they were nervous about the direction architect Stephen Knowles envisioned.

Continue reading

Kickapoo v. Texas — State’s Opposition to Cert Petition

The State of Texas filed its opposition to the cert petition filed by the Kickapoo Tribe way back in February. Here is the brief — texas-cert-opp

And here is our previous post on the lower court portion of this case (with briefs), as well as a link to the Supreme Court Project’s site.

If you’ll recall, despite a USSG recommendation to deny the petition, the Court still asked for a response from the State.

Muskegon County in Support of LRB Casino Proposal

From Indianz:

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians is seeing support for its off-reservation casino in Muskegon, Michigan.

The board of commissioners in Muskegon County passed a resolution in support of the project. The tribe said local approval is one step in the long process for the casino. The tribe purchased the former Great Lakes Downs and plans a $100 million casino.

Get the Story:
Muskegon County bets on casino at former track (Press News Service 7/18 )

Mullins v. Sycuan Band — Tort Claim Dismissed

This can be what happens when you sue someone while represented by an attorney who is not licensed in the proper state bar. The court dismissed the tort claim against the tribe because the attorney wasn’t licensed in California, but noted it would have dismissed the claim for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, too.

dct-order-to-show-cause

mullins-v-sycuan-band-dct-order

LRB Purchases Great Lakes Downs

From Indianz:

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians purchased a defunct racetrack in Michigan for an undisclosed price.

The tribe wants to open a casino at the site near Muskegon. But official said there is no timetable for development. The tribe operates a casino on its reservation, about 80 miles away. The tribe has a branch office in Muskegon. Another Michigan tribe, the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, has expressed interested in a casino in Muskegon.

Get the Story:
Little River tribe buys Great Lakes Downs with hopes of opening casino (The Muskegon Chronicle 7/17)
Muskegon casino could face same opposition Gun Lake tribe encountered in Wayland Township (The Grand Rapids Press 7/17)
Tribal group wants casino at Great Lakes Downs (WOOD 7/16)
Magna sells Great Lakes Downs (The Thoroughbred Times 7/16)