Here: M-37023
2009 Interior Solicitor Opinion on IGRA and “Restricted Fee Lands”
Here: M-37023
gaming
LTBB v. BMIC — Federal Court Filings Seeking to Enjoin Vanderbilt Casino
Here are the materials in Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians v. Bay Mills Indian Community (W.D. Mich.):
2010-12-21 Pltfs Motion forPreliminary Injunction Expedited C
New Yorker Profile on Shinnecock Indian Nation
Little Traverse to Sue Bay Mills Tomorrow
News article here.
State of Michigan v. Bay Mills Indian Community Complaint Filed Today
Here: BMIC Complaint.
No injunction sought yet, but one would have to expect one given the federal government’s views here.
NIGC and Interior Opine that Bay Mills Vanderbilt Casino is NOT on Indian Lands and is Therefore Illegal
Little River Band Enters into Collective Bargaining Agreement with United Steelworkers
Here is the ratifying resolution: 10-1220-059 Ratifying Collective Bargaining Agreement
And the press release:
(December 21st, 2010) Manistee, MI
Historic Collective Bargaining Agreement Signed under Tribal Law
The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians announced today that a collective bargaining agreement has been reached between the Little River Casino Resort and the United Steelworkers. The agreement is the first to be reached after a union election campaign and collective bargaining process governed solely by tribal law. Security guards voted last Thursday to approve the agreement. The Board of Directors of the Resort subsequently approved it on Monday, December 20th, and the Agreement is effective upon that approval.
“This is proud moment for our Tribe,” said Stephen Parsons, Tribal Council Speaker for the Band. “We have worked hard to design a fair law to govern labor relations within our jurisdiction. This agreement shows that tribal sovereignty works.”
Tribal Ogema Larry Romanelli echoed this sentiment: “This agreement is just another progressive step for the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians as we accept responsibility for our own affairs and fairly protect the interests of all parties involved.”
The Little River Casino Resort operates pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, a sweeping federal law enacted by Congress to enable tribes to generate revenues to support tribal government—similar to state lotteries. The Band’s law governs labor relations within its public sector.
White Earth Band Awarded Millions in Tribal Court Dispute with Former Chair and Gaming Management Co.
From the Bemidji Pioneer:
An $18,562,767.45 money judgment was recently awarded to the White Earth Band of Chippewa against Angelo Medure and Gaming World International, Ltd. (GWI).
The award culminates a 14-year struggle of the people of White Earth to recover illegal profit distributions made to Medure and Gaming World International. The legal action began in White Earth Tribal Court and then removed by GWI and Medure to Federal Court and then remanded back to Tribal Court by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Medure was found to have conspired with former White Earth Chairman Darrell “Chip” Wadena to deprive the people of White Earth the benefits of the White Earth Land Settlement Act (WELSA). Although agreement provisions between GWI and Wadena required that Medure provide management services for the construction, development and operation of the Shooting Star Casino, GWI had no employees at the Shooting Star Casino at any time. In spite of having no employees at Shooting Star Casino, GWI and Medure were paid $10,153,772.61 in profit distributions. The management agreement required GWI to pay back the White Earth Land Settlement Act (WELSA) funds before any profit distributions were made to GWI.
Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Challenge to NIGC General Counsel Opinion Dismissed
Here are the materials in Ysleta del Sur Pueblo v. NIGC (W.D. Tex.):
Michigan AG’s Office Issues Demand to Bay Mills to Close Vanderbilt Casino
Here is that letter: Bay Mills Ltr 12 16 10.
Bay Mills’ legal theory (at least as presented to the NIGC) is here.
Turtle Talk 
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