St. Croix Band v. Salazar

D.C. Circuit to Decide St. Croix Off-Rez Gaming Challenge without Oral Argument

November 6, 2009November 6, 2009Matthew L.M. Fletcher

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has canceled oral arguments in an off-reservation casino case.

The court was due to hear St. Croix Chippewa v. Salazar on November 13. But the case will instead be decided on the briefs.

The St. Croix Chippewa Tribe and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indianswant to build a casino in Beloit. The project enjoys strong local support.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs, in the final days of the Bush administration, rejected the casino, saying it was too far from the tribes’ reservations. Beloit is more than 300 miles away.

At issue is a January 2008 guidance memorandum that make it nearly impossible for tribes to acquire land away from existing reservations. The Obama administration is reviewing the policy but continues to fight the lawsuit.

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Has the St. Croix/Bad River Challenge to BIA’s Off-Rez Gaming Regs Been Mooted?

November 1, 2009Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From Indianz:

The Ho-Chunk Nation today announced the purchase of land in Beloit, Wisconsin, where two other tribes have sought to build an off-reservation casino.

In a press release, Vice-President Daniel Brown said tribe said it hopes to pursue economic development opportunities in Beloit. “We are looking forward to the chance to talk with local leaders about potential opportunities to bring jobs, economic development, and further investments to the Beloit area,” he said.

The St. Croix Chippewa Tribe and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indianswant to build a casino on the site in Beloit. The Bush administration rejected the project in January of this year, and the issue will be heard by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appealsnext week, on November 3.

In the press release, Brown said the Ho-Chunk Nation “remains the only tribal nation with a real opportunity to site a casino” in Beloit. The tribe’s Class III compact allows another gaming site in the state, he said, and the tribe has “federally-recognized aboriginal ties” to Beloit and the region.

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