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BIA talks about Cowlitz casino proposal

"'I think we have to be in many ways advocates for tribes,' said Stanley Speaks, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Northwest regional director. 'If we weren't, who is? There's nobody else out there.'

"In a rare interview recently, Speaks talked about the Cowlitz' controversial $510 million land-casino proposal, the impact it could have on the tribe and nearby communities and what he considers misperceptions about Indians in general.

"The BIA will decide on the Cowlitz tribe's 'fee-to-trust' application for land in the La Center area. 'Trust' status is a designation that would allow the tribe to act as an independent, sovereign nation.

"Speaks said casinos have brought prosperity to tribes throughout the Northwest.

"...If the bureau approves the tribe's application, lawsuits by opposition groups or governments are possible.

"...Cowlitz Tribal spokesman Phil Harju said the tribe hopes the casino will be an economic engine that benefits members over the long term.

"...Despite what he sees as BIA's advocacy role on behalf of tribes, Speaks rejects critics' suggestions his agency is biased.

"'I would say it's not,' he said. 'What we're trying to do is we're trying to better the tribe, our tribes, so that they can be much better contributors to the local communities, and they would be, they will be.'..."

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