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Oklahoma Tribes Assert Land Claims in Other States

OKLAHOMA – As reported by the Denver Post: "In the mid-1800s, the U.S. government marched thousands of Indians out of their homes and into the Oklahoma Territory, packing them into a dusty land that white settlers didn't want at the time.

"Now, many tribes are trying to go back to their homelands - and bring Las Vegas-style gambling with them.

"At least four Oklahoma tribes are asserting claims to land in other states where they want to build casinos. Among them is the unified Cheyenne- Arapaho Tribes, which are working with developers to build a casino on the outskirts of Denver.

"…The tribe asserts a claim to hundreds or even millions of acres in another state, usually land already developed and occupied by businesses and homeowners.

"But the tribes say they'll give up most of the land they're claiming if they can build a casino instead.

"…Oklahoma law doesn't allow tribes to have Las Vegas-style gambling. Instead, they may offer a form of high- stakes electronic bingo, not as profitable as slots. Casino gambling is permitted in most of the other states, which means tribes could do it, too.

"…'There's no single unified group working behind these tribes,' said Kirke Kickingbird, an Oklahoma lawyer and a member of the Kiowa tribe who used to run the Native American Legal Resource Center at the Oklahoma City University School of Law…"

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