In a major policy shift, the Northern Arapaho Business Council (NABC) in Wyoming, which has long banned alcohol sales on the reservation, recently asked Fremont County for a license to sell alcohol at the tribe’s Wind River Hotel & Casino in Riverton. In an equally unusual move, the county granted the license, the first it has issued in at least three decades.
The license allows limited alcohol sales only at Wind River’s Buffalo Sportsbook, restaurants, banquet rooms and hotel guest rooms. No alcohol sales will be allowed in the rest of the facility nor at other Northern Arapaho retail and gaming facilities. In addition, Wind River officials said hotel and casino wait staff will participate in TIPS training to ensure alcohol is responsibly consumed on-site.
The NABC also approved a special tax on alcohol sales, with revenue benefiting the White Buffalo Recovery Center and other treatment services for tribal members.
In a statement, the NABC said, “Limited alcohol sales will better enable Wind River Hotel & Casino to compete for customers with a growing number of Wyoming non-tribal gaming facilities, which already offer alcohol. A prosperous Wind River Hotel & Casino means jobs, revenue and economic opportunity for the Arapaho people.”
County Commissioner Ron Fabrizius cast the sole vote against the license. He said he surveyed several reservation residents who begged him not to approve it. But in a raised voice, Commissioner Clarence Thomas said, “When we talk about tribal people it’s always like, ‘I don’t know if I want them to do that. I don’t know if they’re going to be able to handle that.’ Why is that?’ I don’t see this with the other entities applying for licenses. We say yes right off the bat!”
In an emotional speech before the vote, Tribal Council Member Karen Returns To War added, “In America everybody has a chance at the American dream. Everybody can start a business, except for the First Nation people. Every time we try to better ourselves or help ourselves there always are obstacles.”
