Governor of California Opposes Two Proposed Native American Casino Developments
In recent developments, two proposed casino projects in Solano and Sonoma counties have sparked controversy among Californian tribes and local communities. The Tribal Nations Access to Justice Act, which reached the assembly floor earlier this month, could potentially allow Californian tribes to sue cardrooms over their offer of blackjack and poker games. However, the focus is currently on two other projects that have raised concerns. The Koi Nation of Northern California and the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians have proposed new casino constructions that do not belong to their aboriginal homelands. This has led to accusations of 'reservation shopping' from opposing voices. California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, has voiced his opposition to these projects, arguing that they would 'stretch the 'restored lands' exception beyond its legal limits.' He has sent a letter to the US Department of the Interior's secretary, Deb Haaland, asking her to oppose the projects. The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, operator of Cache Creek Casino, along with the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, and several local government officials, have also expressed their opposition to the Scotts Valley casino project. They made their stance clear during a press conference in West Sacramento. If approved, the land for the Scotts Valley casino would be earmarked for casinos to be taken into trust, partially removing it from the state's jurisdiction and turning it into sovereign land. This move has raised concerns about the potential disregard for the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and the concerns expressed by tribal governments and local communities. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted against the Koi Nation's tribal casino resort two years ago. The Scotts Valley Band's proposed $700 million casino resort has been pending approval from the DOI near Vallejo since 2016. The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, a federally recognized Indian tribe, has expressed its appreciation for Governor Newsom's initiative to protect 'tribal sovereignty against Interior's unexplained rush to move these projects forward while ignoring the concerns of local tribes.' The chairman of the tribe, Greg Sarris, has stated that Haaland will ultimately carry responsibility for the decisions and that she 'needs to ensure that Interior is working to protect the interests of all tribes.' While both tribes claim they do carry historical ties to the land, other tribes in the area say the opposite. The Governor's Office has accused the DOI of failing to consider reasonable alternatives as possible locations within the Lake County homelands. As the situation unfolds, the Department of the Interior's decision on these proposed projects will be closely watched by all parties involved.
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