Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
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News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2005 CNO
The Cherokee Nation was granted permission to file an amicus brief in the United Keetoowah Band Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma (UKBCIO) vs. State of Oklahoma in a case relating to the UKBCIO’s gaming operation.“The Cherokee Nation has an interest in the case because of the contention that a certain parcel of land within the Cherokee Nation jurisdiction is Indian Country,” said Diane Hammons, director of the Cherokee Nation’s Justice Department. “We wanted the court to have as much information as possible to make an informed decision, considering it affects land within our jurisdiction.”
In a hearing on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Ronald A. White denied the state’s motion to vacate an injunction by a state district court judge. That injunction barred the state from enforcing anti-gaming laws on property the UKBCIO had purchased. White also denied a motion for injunctive relief which would allow the state to close the UKBCIO’s gaming facility down immediately.
Judge White did say the state had a strong likelihood to prevail on the merits of the case, and that the UKBCIO faced an “uphill battle” to win their gaming case. He also said “I think (UKBCIO) would be nuts to expand it,” referring to their gaming operation, “considering the risk” to any additional capital investment in a facility that faces closure.
Judge White invited the parties to the case to file additional briefs, in August, on the decisive issue on whether the property in question is Indian Country.
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |