The Bureau of Indian Affairs January 8 approved of a Hard Rock casino for the Tejon Indian Tribe off of their reservation near Bakersfield, California in the central part of the state.
Because this would be an off-reservation casino, it is subject to a two-part determination of IGRA (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act) and requires the assent of California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Octavio Escobedo III, chairman of the Tejon Indian Tribe, issued this statement: “From the start of our relationship with the United States government in 1851, our Tribe has fought for a homeland for our people. Today we are two major steps closer to that dream.” He added, “The Department’s decision enables us to move closer to the promise of self-determination through economic development.”
He concluded, “This has been a long but worthwhile journey for the Tribe and its citizens. These decisions are necessary and significant steps toward the development of a tribal homeland for the Tribe, which was landless for more than 150 years.”
Newsom has a year to concur with the BIA’s decision before the tribe can move forward and then the Department of the Interior would take the land into trust for the tribe.
The tribe plans to build a 166,500 square foot casino and 11 story hotel with 400 rooms, convention space, event center, RV park, dining and joint fire and sheriff’s station. The site would also include tribal housing and administration.
The 1,111-member tribe was recognized by the federal government in 2012. Most of the members live in or near Bakersfield in Kern County. The County Board of Supervisors is on record supporting the proposal.
No timeline on the casino construction has been released to the public.
