(AP) — A federal judge ruled last week against the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma that has long sought to operate a casino in New Mexico.In an opinion, U.S. District Court Judge Ellen S. Huvelle upheld a decision by the National Indian Gaming Commission that the Fort Sill Apache was not eligible to game in New Mexico, the Deming Headlight reports.Fort Sill is a federally. Fort Sill tried to open a small casino on the land in 2008 after it was donated to the tribe in the 1990s. The casino was shut down quickly by the National Indian Gaming Commission and former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ordered a state police blockade at the location where the Apache Homelands operates a diner, convenience store, and smoke shop. Do you want to know more about Fort Sill Apache Casino, Deming, NM? Find out if it's the perfect Casino for you NOW! Fort Sill Apache Casino Contact Information.
© Bill Armendariz - Headlight Photo The Fort Sill Apache own a 30-acre parcel of land at Akela Flats located 18 miles east of Deming, NM. In 2008, the tribe announced plans to bring gaming to the area.
MESCALERO, N.M. – Late last week, United States District Court Judge Ellen S. Huvelle issued an opinion upholding the National Indian Gaming Commission's ('NIGC's') determination that the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma was not eligible to game in New Mexico. Fort Sill is a federally recognized Indian tribe located in Oklahoma that has land at Akela Flats, located 18 miles east of Deming, New Mexico, off of Interstate 10.
The Akela Flats land was donated to Fort Sill in the late 1990s. Fort Sill tried to open a small casino on the land in 2008. The casino was shut down quickly by the NIGC and former Governor Bill Richardson ordered a state police blockade at the location where the Apache Homelands operates a diner, convenience store and smoke shop.
A hotel owner in the Indian state of Goa was arrested last week after he reportedly invaded a casino with a group of thugs over an ownership dispute. The casino is operated by Casino Pride Group. Casino pride goa owner login.
The NIGC determined that Fort Sill did not qualify under any of the exceptions to the general prohibition against tribes gaming on lands acquired after 1988 in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) that was enacted by Congress.
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The casino plan at Akela Flats included jobs for an economically depressed Luna County. Back in 2008, the county staggered in at a percentage rate of unemployment that reached double-digits.
After many years of arguing that they should be able to game at Akela Flats, Fort Sill took the NIGC to court because the NIGC would not reverse its decision. District Court Judge Huvelle dismissed each argument made by Fort Sill. As a result, Fort Sill will not be gaming in New Mexico any time soon.
President Gabe Aguilar commented: 'We have a shared history as Chiricahua Apache but they chose to stay in Oklahoma and lost their connection to New Mexico. IGRA was not intended to allow tribes like Fort Sill to game hundreds of miles away. Fort Sill promised Mescalero they would not game here.
MESCALERO, N.M. – Late last week, United States District Court Judge Ellen S. Huvelle issued an opinion upholding the National Indian Gaming Commission's ('NIGC's') determination that the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma was not eligible to game in New Mexico. Fort Sill is a federally recognized Indian tribe located in Oklahoma that has land at Akela Flats, located 18 miles east of Deming, New Mexico, off of Interstate 10.
The Akela Flats land was donated to Fort Sill in the late 1990s. Fort Sill tried to open a small casino on the land in 2008. The casino was shut down quickly by the NIGC and former Governor Bill Richardson ordered a state police blockade at the location where the Apache Homelands operates a diner, convenience store and smoke shop.
A hotel owner in the Indian state of Goa was arrested last week after he reportedly invaded a casino with a group of thugs over an ownership dispute. The casino is operated by Casino Pride Group. Casino pride goa owner login.
The NIGC determined that Fort Sill did not qualify under any of the exceptions to the general prohibition against tribes gaming on lands acquired after 1988 in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) that was enacted by Congress.
Fort Sill Apache Casino Deming Nm New Mexico
The casino plan at Akela Flats included jobs for an economically depressed Luna County. Back in 2008, the county staggered in at a percentage rate of unemployment that reached double-digits.
After many years of arguing that they should be able to game at Akela Flats, Fort Sill took the NIGC to court because the NIGC would not reverse its decision. District Court Judge Huvelle dismissed each argument made by Fort Sill. As a result, Fort Sill will not be gaming in New Mexico any time soon.
President Gabe Aguilar commented: 'We have a shared history as Chiricahua Apache but they chose to stay in Oklahoma and lost their connection to New Mexico. IGRA was not intended to allow tribes like Fort Sill to game hundreds of miles away. Fort Sill promised Mescalero they would not game here.
'It is hurtful because we respected their decision to stay in Oklahoma. We always tried to help them because they lost so much of their culture. They know that a casino at Akela Flats would hurt us and yet they do not seem to care. And they have a casino in Oklahoma already. How fair would it be to let them game here?'
The Chiricahua Apache were taken as prisoners of war in 1886. In 1913, the Chiricahua were given a choice: stay in Oklahoma or return to their homelands. The clear majority returned to New Mexico to live on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation and became a part of the Mescalero Apache Tribe. The Chiricahua that remained in Oklahoma became the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma.
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'Fort Sill will probably appeal. But the Tribe is pleased with the court's decision Aguilar said. With everything else going on, and the major economic pressures facing us given the coronavirus pandemic, Mescalero is relieved for this bit of good news.'
Bill Armendariz can be reached at 575-546-2611 (ext. 2606) or biarmendariz@demingheadlight.com.
Is there a casino in french lick indiana. This article originally appeared on Deming Headlight: Court ruling derails Ft. Sill Apache tribe's casino plans at Akela Flats, NM
