Account of a proposal by one tribe to build a casino on top of an Indian burial ground
Casino on clinic site:
Plans by an Indian tribe near San Diego to construct a casino on the site of a health care clinic would be blocked for two years, under terms of a bill passed Tuesday by the House of Representatives
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Cayuga Indian Nation: (from NY Times May 10)
For years, the Cayugas wanted no part of gambling fever. As the Senecas, the Oneidas and the Mohawks began earning millions from casinos, the Cayugas held to the old rules of consensus and unanimity. If even one of the five clan mothers opposed it, it could not happen.
...[Cayuga] tribal leaders felt that gambling was contrary to the spiritual tradition of the nation.
But in a reversal that has angered some tribe members and puzzled others, the views of at least some members have changed. And [in April 2003], the Cayugas signed an agreement with a casino promoter, Empire Resorts (formerly Alpha Hospitality), to sponsor a $500 million casino in the Catskills...
Coast Miwoks of Northern Calif.:
- CNN, July 2000:
The Miwok Indians of coastal Northern California are fighting for official tribal recognition to regain federal benefits and to help restore cultural traditions.
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While the group is seeking federal recognition, unlike many other tribes, they have promised no casinos and no gambling.
"I think the anti-gaming clause shows, 'Hey, these Indians aren't doing this for the money,'" said [tribal chairman] Sarris.
The clause did get the attention of Congress, and the House approved restoration of the Miwok's tribal status. - April 2003:
A Sonoma County Indian tribe announced plans Wednesday to build a casino near Sears Point, and local officials acknowledged they could be helpless to stop the project.
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The Graton Rancheria, a Coast Miwok group restored to federal tribal status in late 2000, had repeatedly said it had no plans for gaming.
...[Barbara] Boxer's help was crucial in pushing through the legislation that restored tribal status to the Coast Miwoks. Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Petaluma, sought to prohibit gambling when the tribe was restored, but the Bureau of Indian Affairs objected, saying it could set a precedent that would lead to restrictions on all tribes that go before Congress.
At the time, Boxer said she had no worries that a casino might sprout on Coast Miwok land. "I just don't see it as an issue. I never did," she said then. - May 2003:
Marin County Supervisors fired the opening volley Tuesday in an attempt to thwart plans to build a casino in Novato’s backyard.
Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution opposing plans by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (ie Coast Miwoks) to build what 5th District Supervisor Cynthia Murray calls a "mega-casino" ...
The gambling house would be the largest state gaming officials allow, Murray said.
..."We are not the first community confronting this," Kinsey said. "To date, no community has been able to prevent a casino once a tribe starts that course. El Dorado County has spent $300,000 and haven’t made a dent in the issue for their community."
Grass Valley:
- Chapa-De Indian health clinic, on plans for the remaining 5 acres of the 12 acre site of proposed medical clinic:
...five acres [of the 12 acre clinic site] are shown vacant on the preliminary maps, and that alone has rattled Grass Valley Planning Commission Chairwoman Lisa Swarthout..
..."That leads me to believe that you have future (planned) developments," she said. The Planning Commission could require more details for the vacant land, she warned
Chapa-De representatives claimed there are no distinct plans for the five acres. "We just don't know," said architect Elaine Lieske.
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Under federal law, Chapa-De cannot build a casino, in part because the land is not tribal land and was purchased after 1988, she said.
"This cannot be a gaming facility," Ervin stressed. "It never will be. We're here to provide health care to the community."
Under federal law, casinos can be only be built on land held in trust by the federal government on behalf of a federally recognized tribe. Lands acquired after 1988 are ineligible unless the tribe's federal status is new or has been restored, and the governor and U.S. Department of the Interior agree that gambling will not negatively impact the community.
- Dr. Sara Richey, Feb 2003:
I did not think there was any plan for a casino, however... Since the governing tribe of the clinic is a gaming tribe, their attorneys are gaming attorneys, and the clinic director is a gaming tribal leader, I don't think it is unwise to spell out in advance that a casino would not be welcome on that property...
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