The Tahlequah, Oklahoma-based United Keetoowah band of the Cherokee said the economically struggling tribe wants to return to its home in Georgia, where it was driven out in the 1830s, and establish a casino there. Executive Director Anile Locust said she recently wrote to Deal explaining under federal law, the tribe’s efforts should take precedence over any other efforts to develop a casino. “I’m not getting any younger. I would like to see the people flourish in my lifetime. We can’t come back as fast as Georgia kicked us out. It would really depend on the Georgia state legislature,” Locust said.
The tribe’s attorney, Richard Lea, said two casino companies are in discussions with the tribe. “They can partner with an Indian tribe. They can cut through the regulation and on an expedited basis, they can get approval and build an Indian casino a lot quicker.”
Lea explained a 1988 Congressional law, which he called “a form of reparations,” gave Indian tribes the right to build and operate casinos without state interference. “That right has been used several hundred times by Indian tribes across the nation,” Lea said. He added a casino company could purchase the land, preferably in northern Cherokee County, and have it placed in federal trust for the tribe without the involvement of the state legislature, although the state could negotiate a share of the profits.
However, he said, by going through the state legislature, the tribe could partner with major companies to build a Class III casino, which would allow slots and table games and bring in more revenue for the state. “From my perspective, the state would be better off with a fully developed entertainment center with something for everybody,” Lea said.
Locust said the tribe hoped to establish a Georgia casino within a year or two. “We came here with nothing. Now here we are nearly two centuries into this and we still have nothing. We’re just trying to find any avenue we can. We’re trying to introduce the tribe to the citizens of Georgia and the legislature so we can get a seat at the table, that’s all,” she said.
