Around the Sister Tribes: Updates from the TON, SRPMIC and Ak-Chin

August 4, 2017

GRIN Staff

Gila River Indian News

Expansion planned for casino near Glendale

The Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise recently announced that the Tohono O’odham Nation will begin construction in the next six months at the Desert Diamond Casino – West Valley according to the Tohono O’odham Runner.

The expansion comes on the heels of their agreement to settle their dispute with the State of Arizona regarding the casino near the City of Glendale, which will allow the casino to move forward with a class III gaming license.

Four Tribes meet in SRPMIC

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community hosted the Gila River Indian Community, Tohono O’odham Nation and the Ak-Chin Indian Community at their new SPRMIC Justice Center on June 24 according to the Au-Authm Action News.

The annual meeting consists of topics imperative to the individual tribes and shared issues. SRPMIC Chief Judge Ryan Andrews provided information on the new facility and talked about new tribal court and education programs.

Each tribe gave updates and GRIC, which was represented by Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis and Lt. Gov. Monica Antone, discussed Indian Child Welfare Act cases and the Phoenix South Mountain Freeway Loop 202 Extension.

Construction underway at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino

New additions are under construction at the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino.

The Ak-Chin Runner reports that the additions include a 12-story hotel, new parking garage, new bingo hall and a pedestrian walkway, which will connect the casino to the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center.