For decades, the Koi Nation, a small tribe in Northern California, has sought to establish a casino like many other tribes benefiting from the gaming market. Their chances improved in 2019 when a federal court decision allowed the tribe to find a financial partner, the Chickasaw Nation, to help buy a 68-acre parcel in Sonoma County for $12.3 million. Now, the tribe awaits a decision from US Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on whether the land will be placed into trust, paving the way for a $600 million casino and resort.
This decision coincides with the US government's ongoing efforts to redress past wrongs against Indigenous peoples by reinstating ancestral lands through a legal process. However, the Koi Nation's project faces opposition, including from California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Greg Sarris, chairman of Graton Rancheria, a nearby tribe. Sarris has criticized the Koi Nation for not having a historical connection to Sonoma County and accused them of "reservation shopping."
The potential casino near Windsor, approximately 65 miles north of San Francisco, would contribute significantly to the tribe's well-being, providing educational opportunities and better living standards in an expensive region, say advocates. Dino Beltran, Vice Chairman of the Koi Nation's Tribal Council, said, "It has taken us years to be on the same playing field as every other tribe in the United States."
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The final decision by Deb Haaland will consider various factors, including local opposition and the potential benefits of tribal economic development and job creation. As California remains the largest tribal gaming market, this new venture could further invigorate the state's competitive landscape. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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