Finally, it's official:
Navajo Nation’s first casino to go up in Churchrock

By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

CHURCHROCK — Navajo Nation Economic Development Committee member Ralph Bennett recalled when the EDC first approached the Navajo people in public hearings a decade ago to ask if they wanted gaming on the Navajo Nation.

“We were afraid to appear before the people. They were very harsh. We were very afraid to go to them, but we did nevertheless,” he said. “Finally within 10 years it started changing.”

Now the nation is one step closer to opening its first casino with the signing of the loan documents and lease agreement by President Joe Shirley and Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise CEO Robert Winter during a signing ceremony Friday morning attended by more than 100 community members and dignitaries.

Shirley thanked Winter for coming out of retirement to help lead the nation’s gaming efforts.

“He put up with us, put up with our politics,” Shirley said. “He put up with all of that to bring us here.”

The construction of the new casino in Churchrock could begin as early as a month and the expected opening date is in October, gaming counsel Ray Etcitty said.

Controller Mark Grant said that the casino will mean employment and revenue for the Navajo Nation. He noted that four to five more casinos will eventually be built on the nation.

“This is the first step, and it was the hardest step,” he said. “But from now on, thank you to this chapter, the next one is going to be easier and the third step will be easier after that.”
After the Navajo Nation’s first attempt to secure a bank loan agreement didn’t go through, the nation went to its own Land Acquisition Fund for the loan. With the signing of the loan, the gaming enterprise can move forward with construction plans. The Killian Group from Missouri has been chosen as the general contractor and JCJ Architecture from Phoenix has been chosen as the architect, gaming enterprise officials said.