Shirley to select developer for first casino

By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. "should be making a selection in the very near future" on a developer for the tribe's casino, according to legislative counselor Michelle Dotson.

Dotson made her comments during a workshop on Indian gaming in the council's chambers.

Although some delegates were disgruntled by Shirley taking the decision onto himself, Dotson said Shirley is merely trying to get the ball rolling. Once a Tribal Gaming Enterprise is in place, he will turn that duty over to it, Dotson said.

The president will only pick the developer for the first casino to be located in Nahata Dziil and then requests for proposals will go out again for future construction, Dotson said.

She also urged delegates to discourage their chapters from entering into separate agreements with developers.

"They are illegal," she said. "They are void."

Delegate Wallace Charley, who was at the gaming workshop, has since demanded that his chapter Shiprock be allowed to enter a separate agreement with a developer, just as To'Hajiilee does. Charley plans to bring his case before the council.

The workshop originated out of the winter session when delegates quizzed Edward Lockett, executive director of the tribe's Gaming Regulatory Office, about the perceived lack of progress.

Some delegates were confused about the division of responsibility for establishing casinos on Navajo.

Chief Legislative Counsel Raymond C. Etcitty said that Lockett's office "is essentially the gaming police." They ensure that employees, vendors and contractors are all properly licensed and that all federal, state or tribal laws are followed, Etcitty said.

Lockett's office does not decide which chapter gets a casino, or select a developer, the counsel added.

"He's only making sure no dishonesties occur," Etcitty said.

The regulatory office, located in the Karigan Building, is moving forward, having hired tribal member Lisa Tom on Feb. 2 to be the new licensing investigation manager, Lockett said.

"Gaming enforcement staff are our frontline officials, responsible for monitoring employees and customers, alike," Lockett said. "Our job is to maintain the integrity of Indian gaming."

Any day now, the Navajo Nation will have a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the National Indian Gaming Commission to assist with criminal history checks.

"I take regulations very seriously," Lockett said.

NIGC Regional Chief Ken Billingsley praised the Navajos for the progress they have made so far.

"I will stand behind (Lockett)," Billingsley said. "I applaud the selection of Lisa Tom. I've worked with her and she knows her business. Navajo gaming is off to a good start."

Indian nations need to keep an eye on a bill in Congress, sponsored by U.S. John McCain, R-Ariz., to reform parts of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). McCain's bill includes good and bad items for Indian gaming, Billingsley said.

One positive change could be a reduction in time before a tribe receives NIGC approval on a state compact. Currently, it takes 18 months or longer, Billingsley said.

Various sites on Navajo have been considered for a casino, said Allan Begay, executive director of the Division of Economic Development. Rather than look at specific sites, the feasibility study considered areas figuring in traffic, other vacation destinations in proximity, infrastructure, population and space for expansion, Begay said.

Among the top areas were Page and Navajo, in Arizona, and Chinle, Shiprock and I-40, near Gallup, Begay said.

"We need to move it along faster," said delegate Mark Maryboy.

Lawrence Platero agreed. "We're giving our neighbors about $15,000 a day by not having a gaming site open," the To'Hajiilee delegate said.

— John Christian Hopkins can be reached at 1-505-371-5443, or by email at Hopkins1960@hotmail.com.