Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin recently announced she concurs with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs’ decision to place into federal trust for the Shawnee Tribe a tract of land 4 miles southwest of Guymon in the Panhandle, where the tribe plans to build a million, 42,000 square foot Golden Mesa Casino. The project will create 175 new jobs and attract visitors from Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle.
The land is located 366 miles from Shawnee headquarters in Miami. The tribe has no jurisdictional land of its own, nor any historical ties to the Guymon area. As a result, critics expressed concern that state leaders could open gambling to anyone.
Fallin said, “I appreciate the growing partnership our state and the tribes have developed and improved over the last several years. I believe the Shawnee Tribe has demonstrated its commitment to our country and this state. It is fitting that we follow the acknowledgement by Congress to offer this tribe the ability to self-determination and self-governance by allowing economic development opportunities.” Congress enacted the Shawnee Status Act in 2000, which allowed the tribe to begin economic recovery.
Fallin added, “I concur with the Secretary of the Interior’s determination that the Shawnee Tribe’s proposal will provide economic development to the Guymon and surrounding area, bringing in out-of-state dollars as it will draw from population centers outside our state. This will also benefit the Shawnee Tribe in helping it develop a funding source as it works toward self-determination and self-governance.”
Shawnee Tribal Chief Ron Sparkman stated, “On behalf of the Shawnee Tribe, we are very grateful to Governor Mary Fallin for approving our application. We are also deeply thankful to the many people in Guymon, the Panhandle and around the state who unselfishly worked over the past two years on this project. On a personal level, I am also most appreciative to my dear friend Governor Bill Anoatubby of the Chickasaw Nation for his kindness and willingness to help our tribe finally realize its dream of economic independence. As a landless tribe, the granting of land represents a historic event of indescribable importance to us. We pledge to be a good community citizen by running a responsible enterprise with our respected operator, Global Gaming Solutions, and we will value the opportunity to work side-by-side with local organizations who share a common desire to find ways to build better and stronger communities across the Panhandle.”
