The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas recently held its 49th Powwow near Livingston. Despite the joyful celebration of culture and tradition, the tribe’s legal battle with the state of Texas still cast a pall. The state claims the tribe’s Naskila Gaming Center is illegal because it offers electronic bingo, which is against the law in Texas. The tribe claims the National Indian Gaming Commission had the authority to approve the center in 2016 when the tribe was federally recognized.
Tribal spokesman Carlos Bullock said, “We’re in a lawsuit with the state of Texas. That lawsuit is filed by the Texas attorney general. We are in court right now. But we are going to win when we get to court.”
Bullock noted, “The powwow has been going on for 49 years. And they’ll go on even if Naskila would close. But we’re confident that Naskila is going to remain open because we know that we’re doing everything legally and we’re waiting for our day in court.”
For the time being, Naskila remains open and employs 250 people.
