The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have submitted a proposal to build a sprawling casino complex in Pasco, Washington. However, neighboring tribes are unhappy with the new proposition for wagering in the US and voiced their displeasure at a virtual hearing late last month.
Indian War
A three-hour hearing on April 24th arranged by the Bureau of Indian Affairs revealed how acrimonious the debate has become between the Colville Tribe and those tribes that neighbor their proposed casino complex.
The Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) have both expressed strident opposition to the planned casino, insisting that it would negatively impact their gaming facilities by driving business away and decreasing their bottom line.
Ruth Jim, a council member of the Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation, was vehement in his opposition, directing his invective to the Colvilles, stating, “You’re going to start an Indian war.”
What’s the Issue?
The problem the Yakama and CTUIR are having is that the proposed casino complex lies far outside Colville’s reservation lands. However, that argument has been countered by the Colville Tribe asserting that the land on which they are proposing to build is theirs under an 1855 land treaty with the U.S. government.
Moreover, in 2019, the Colville Tribe paid $2.9 million for four parcels of land in and around Pasco where the casino, hotel, event center, restaurants, and supporting facilities are to be constructed on 184 acres that lie north of the King City Truck Stop in Pasco.
But the issue circles back to the encroaching tribe stepping far away from their tribal lands located in Ritzville, 75 miles away from Pasco where the Colville’s run their three casinos, all operating under the 12 Tribes name. According to the Colvilles compact with the state, they are allowed up to six casinos.
“Because Colville’s rights don’t extend to Pasco, this means they do not have the tribal right to open a casino in Pasco, and they never will,” said Gerald Lewis, chair of the Yakama Nation.
Lewis also added, “The Colvilles have three casinos. We only have one. This is the big issue we are having.”
Local Support
Pushback from the CTUIR could not have been a surprise as they operate two casinos that are approximately 90 minutes in opposite directions from the Pasco area. The same can be said for the Yakama Tribe, which operates Legends Casino in Toppenish, Washington, located an hour away from the proposed casino site.
The comment period was slated to close on May 3rd, which will provide the feedback requested by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in terms of the environmental impact of the project as well as the reception by the community and its leaders. Once the BIA has taken this all into consideration the next steps will be determined.
The casino is expected to generate jobs and revenue for Pasco, which will naturally stimulate the local economy. Assuming the casino project clears all the necessary hurdles including the critical Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the casino, hotel, and all that it encompasses is expected to include the following:
- A casino spread across 184,200 square feet
- A 200-room hotel
- An event center
- Restaurants
- Supporting facilities
The Colville Tribe has the support of Pasco’s local community leaders including Mayor Matt Watkins. In 2019 when the tribe signed an agreement to purchase the land in Pasco, the current mayor was the one who represented the city in the sale.
“I think we’re just beginning a relationship to understand folks that have been here far longer than any of us,” said the mayor. “What we’re going to be doing tonight is starting another chapter of that (history).”
