Copy Link
A crowded indoor poker room at Graton Resort and Casino in Rohnert Park in late December 2020. Casinos on tribal lands in California are not required to adhere to statewide COVID-19 orders.
(Courtesy of Graton Casino and Resort employee)
As California continues to grapple with a worsening winter surge of COVID-19 cases, some businesses remain able to operate outside the purview of state shutdown orders aimed to protect public health during the pandemic. Tribal resorts and casinos in California operate under federal law on federally protected sovereign land known as rancherias – so they re not required to comply with orders issued by Gov. Newsom or county officials.
Thursday, December 31, 2020
In
United States v. Denezpi, 979 F.3d 777 (10th Cir. 2020), Denezpi, a Navajo tribal member, was arrested by Ute Mountain Ute tribal authorities and charged with violating the Tribe’s assault and battery laws, as well as two provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) on terroristic threats and false imprisonment. He entered an Alford plea to the assault and battery charge and was released from custody for time served. Six months later, federal prosecutors indicted Denezpi for aggravated sexual assault in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2241(A)(1)-(2) & 1153(a). The court denied Mr. Denezpi’s motion to dismiss the indictment on
Citing an increase in the number of coronavirus cases among Tribal members, Colorado River Indian Tribes’ Chairman Dennis Patch reinstated the Tribes’ “Stay at Home” resolution Dec. 24.
Four Winds Invitational will move to South Bend Country Club in 2021
SOUTH BEND, Ind. The 2021 Four Winds Invitational will be held at the South Bend Country Club on August 13-15, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and the Symetra Tour announced Tuesday.
“We are very excited to announce our new partnership with South Bend Country Club to host the 2021 Four Winds Invitational,” said Matthew Wesaw, Tribal Chairman of the Pokagon Band and CEO of Pokagon Gaming Authority said in a press release. “Not only is the South Bend Country Club known as one of the top golf courses in Indiana, it has a long history of hosting many prestigious tournaments. From the grounds and club house facilities to the course location which is just 10 minutes from our Four Winds South Bend casino, we feel this new location will further enhance the appeal of the tournament to players, attendees and sponsors.”
United States Attorneyâs Office Western and Eastern Districts of Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – Federal, State, Local and Tribal leaders jointly announced Michigan’s own Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons pilot project today. United States Attorneys Andrew Birge and Matthew Schneider were joined by Bryan Newland, President of the Bay Mills Indian Community, Dr. Aaron Payment, Tribal Chairperson of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Timothy Waters, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division of the FBI, Col. Joe Gasper, Director of the Michigan State Police, Matthew Saxton, Executive Director of the Michigan Sheriff’s Association, Robert Stevenson,