UKB Casino Dream Hit by Major Federal Reversal
The US Interior Department has reversed a decision supporting the United Keetoowah Band's claims, jeopardizing their casino ambitions.Summary
The US Department of the Interior has permanently withdrawn opinion M-37084, a Biden-era decision that recognized the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) as a successor to the historic Cherokee Nation. This reversal significantly weakens the legal foundation for the UKB's plan to operate a casino in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, as it reinforces the Cherokee Nation's claim to exclusive jurisdiction over tribal lands.
The decision has sparked intense conflict between the two tribes. The Cherokee Nation, a major gaming operator, views the reversal as a victory for the rule of law, while the UKB has condemned the move as "deeply flawed" and disconnected from historical treaty rights. Although the UKB had previously gained momentum through court rulings and a state gaming compact, they now face a difficult legal battle to revive their gaming ambitions.
(Source：Nyt News Today)