The Native Village of Eklutna, an Alaska Native group, has finally received federal approval to build an electronic bingo hall on its land, marking the end of a 25-year wait. This approval comes after the Interior Department’s National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) signed off on the plan, overturning a decision made six years ago by the Trump administration.
In Alaska, where there are no casinos or state lotteries, the approval of this gaming hall is significant. The Eklutna tribe faced legal challenges due to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), which reclassified Alaskan tribes as private corporations rather than sovereign nations with the power to operate gaming facilities.
However, recent opinions from the Interior Department have shifted the tide in favor of Alaska Natives. The decision by Solicitor Robert Anderson in 2022 and 2023 paved the way for tribal authority over land allotted to Alaska Natives, opening the doors for the Eklutna tribe to pursue their gaming ambitions.
Despite this major milestone, there are still hurdles that the tribe needs to overcome, including environmental reviews and potential lawsuits from the State of Alaska, which has opposed the federal government’s decisions. The Eklutna tribe sees the gaming hall not only as a source of revenue but also as a catalyst for community development and infrastructure improvements in the region.
“We are in dire need of housing and infrastructure,” stated Aaron Leggett, the Eklutna Tribal Council President. “The construction of the gaming hall will not only benefit the tribe but also spur development in the village and the surrounding areas, bringing economic growth to Anchorage as well.”
As the Eklutna tribe prepares to move forward with their plans, the approval of the gaming hall represents a significant victory after a long and arduous legal battle. It symbolizes a new era of economic opportunity and self-governance for Alaska Natives, setting a precedent for other tribes in the state to pursue similar ventures in the future.