QUAPAW TRIBE INITATES PLANS FOR CASINO IN LITTLE ROCK

Promotional photo for the proposed Little Rock Quapaw Casino featuring LR Mayor Mark Stodola 

The Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma is seeking to have 160 acres of land owned by the Tribe in Pulaski County, just south of the Little Rock Port Authority, placed in the federal Indian Trust by the Department of the Interior.

The Tribe acquired the property in 2012 and 2013 for $1,372,000.00 according to records on file with the Pulaski County Clerk and the Pulaski County Assessor.

According to the Department of Interior, by placing the land in trust with the United States, Arkansas would have no authority over tribal governments unless expressly authorized by Congress. While federally recognized tribes generally are not subordinate to states, they can have a government-to-government relationship with these other sovereigns, as well.

Federally recognized tribes possess both the right and the authority to regulate activities on their lands independently from state government control.  They can enact and enforce stricter or more lenient laws and regulations than those of the surrounding or neighboring state(s) wherein they are located. Yet, tribes frequently collaborate and cooperate with states through compacts or other agreements on matters of mutual concern such as environmental protection and law enforcement.

Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde received a letter earlier this month from the Department of the Interior which provided notice of their intention to place the property in trust. Judge Hyde, apparently baffled by the entire process and his lack of knowledge regarding federal regulations concerning Indian tribal rights, could not even provide reporters the date he received the letter. Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola made remarks alluding to the letter of notice during his “state of the city” address this past Thursday, but offered little details.

Our investigative reporter has obtained a draft of an up-coming press release concerning the opening of new Quapaw Casino here in Little Rock that features Mayor Stodola .  It was also discovered that the newly appointed Port Authority director, Brian Day, has been having pow-wow’s with tribal leaders to facilitate the development of the site.  Day stated "I'm excited about having the casino close to my office because there are not many places to eat close by out here”.

The Quapaw Tribe owns and operates two other casinos in Oklahoma.