The National Indian Gaming Commission has approved the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s amended gaming ordinance, paving the way for the tribe to pursue a casino project on Douglas Island in Juneau.
In a letter to tribal President Richard Peterson, Acting NIGC Chairwoman Sharon M. Avery confirmed that the tribe’s ordinance complies with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and federal regulations. The approval is site-specific to the Jimmie George Allotment, a 20-acre parcel of restricted Native land on Douglas Island leased by the tribe for up to 50 years.
The allotment is part of a 220-acre land exchange finalized in 2003 and remains under federal restriction against alienation and taxation. According to the NIGC’s review, the land qualifies as “Indian country” under federal law, and the tribe has demonstrated both jurisdiction and governmental authority over the parcel.
The tribe’s lease agreement allows for development that includes a lodge, restaurant, gift shop, bingo, entertainment venues, and business enterprises, alongside tribal government facilities. The NIGC determined that these plans meet the requirements of IGRA because the tribe exercises substantial governmental power, including lawmaking, public safety, disaster response, and cooperative agreements with the City and Borough of Juneau.
The decision follows a shift in federal legal interpretation regarding tribal jurisdiction over Alaska Native allotments. A 2024 opinion from the US Department of the Interior’s Solicitor clarified that Alaska Native allotments are subject to the same principles as allotments in the Lower 48.
The approval marks the second recent decision by the NIGC allowing gaming ventures in Alaska. The Commission authorized the Eklutna Tribe, with roughly 70 members, to operate a casino near Birchwood in Anchorage. That decision is being litigated by the state and others, as many neighbors of the area object to a casino in their quiet residential area.
With more than 37,000 enrolled citizens, Tlingit and Haida would be one of the largest federally recognized tribes in Alaska. It’s membership claim is believed by many, however, to be greatly inflated.
Gambling, alcohol, drugs and prostitution. The activities that cost all of us our $avings, time, and
health. Alaskans do not need this. Go to Vegas for a week and you will learn.
I don’t see that at Eklutna casino. Just white people putting down natives.
Chad,Natives don’t need white people for that
Look on Anchorage street corners, plenty of natives putting themselves down.
Chad, outside people are so used to putting down Natives or hyperventilating with jealousy because local people have a small portion left of their lands and derive benefits from them they are unable to see how obnoxious their attitudes are.
Hearing comments indicates it is simply a given of the perceived cultural superiority amongst outsiders, with no self awareness of the selfishness and ignorance displayed.
The same behavior is often displayed listening to American tourists speak of the locals in foreign countries.
There should be no legal distinction between Natives and Non-Natives. The issue is that many Natives seem intent on maintaining this divide. While it is one thing for Native people to genuinely choose a subsistence lifestyle off the grid, the majority do not. They desire the benefits of both worlds, which is not fair.
Additionally, the casino affects every resident of Juneau, yet most non-Native residents have no voice in the matter, and that is unjust.
and slowly the assimilation of Alaska by the lower 48 swamy ideas continues.
It is ridiculous that it has taken 150 years to recognize that Alaska Natives retain ownership of small portions of their lands and are “authorized” to manage them for their best interests after outsiders from Washington DC “purchased” this colony from a 3rd party.
Our State government has no business litigating this issue. The State has mismanaged education to 3rd world conditions, squandered billions on State employee expenses mismanaging every activity it engages in.
The State failed to expand and improve road and rail transportation to regions that hold the natural resources needed for economic security of its’ citizens.
We don’t even have a natural gas pipeline, decades after the original oil pipeline was constructed. A series of incompetent, corrupt and grandstanding buffoons describe our governors and politicians.
Whatever economic opportunity a Native Corpiration can create on their lands is critical. Waiting for the State is proven useless.
It isn’t so much the state impeding progress, it’s the Federal Gov’t. From climate change activists to a puppet president taking the helm in 2020, Alaska has suffered. The land is cleared and an additional bridge to Douglas is in the works. Like it or not it’s coming.
It’s both, fed and state. We have a dysfunctionally corrupt and incompetent state government. Completely useless.
There is no way to pretend that Alaska is a “state” with 65% of the lands owned by the federal government.
As nice a person Senator Stevens was, with the corrupt Murkowski and Young they sold us out. No backbone, just endless blather.
No one person, entity, or corporation should be able to do something with the land they own in a community if it negatively impacts others. Every resident, entity, or corporation of a community should live by the same rules.
If Birchwood is any indication, this will be an establishment limited to electronically rigged machines (vs a full-menu casino with table-games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, ect.). Curious to see how these “casinos” fare without gen pop’s favorite games.
Let the public determine if they sink or swim. My hunch is the former.
It’s actually an industrial zoned land area in Chugiak. Not a quiet neighborhood. I was next door since 1993.. till a couple years ago when the yellow building next door got sold…
It IS a quiet street directly next to the casino AND a quiet neighborhood just across the railroad tracks towards the inlet. There used to be minimal traffic along Birchwood loop but now people driving like idiots to & from the casino. The industrial neighbors are very QUIET at night unlike the casino open until 2am. Despite their “security” there is litter, drinking/drug use happening while people wait to go in the casino. If people win so much cash money there…why is there NEVER an armored truck going up or down Birchwood loop?!? 3 Bears ATM gets emptied though by players. Are you”winners” fanning out FAKE bills for photo ops?….maybe it’s everyone holding the same fan of $$$.
This is wrong. Our state does not allow casino gambling and tribal groups should not be above state, or federal, laws. They should never ever have been allowed any foot into the door to violate any laws put in place by our elected government. Sovereignty should not allow trampling of the laws that are in place. If that is allowed then they should also be required to be autonomous in all other areas and should receive no benefits whatsoever from the state or federal government. Nothing. No law enforcement, military protection, healthcare, welfare, food stamps, social security – nothing. No one should be allowed to live as a ‘separate nation’ yet still expect support from the nation they are trampling upon.
Casino gambling brings vice, addiction and financial ruin. It puts more burden on an already spread thin law enforcement, mental health services, health services, public infrastructure. There should be not a single casino anywhere in our state, or any other state that doesn’t allow them to anyone else.
It is one thing to receive all the benefits already given such as free healthcare, education benefits, hiring benefits, bidding benefits, grants etc etc but to blatantly be allowed to defy laws is unconscionable.
The Federal Courts have already ruled on this in 2025 in favor of the tribe (Eklutna). Prepare to see a lot more.
I believe the federal court ruled in the case of the neighbors lawsuit, but I believe the state litigation is still pending.
More corruption on the way. 😔
It’s disgustingly slimy and his name is Marnell.
SCOTUS overturning Chevron Deference should have stopped this. The state must challenge it.
This quote “With more than 37,000 enrolled citizens, Tlingit and Haida would be one of the largest federally recognized tribes in Alaska. It’s membership claim is believed by many, however, to be greatly inflated.”
The thing is they are not all AlASKA native they are canadian and lowdr 48 native americans so they are appropriating rights that are NOT theirs. Tlingit haida tribal members ate stalking me in colorado and they use that as a way to defraud people here, they say stuff like but we have NEVER been to Aladka and theyre bribing law enforcement and council people here, I am a US citizen and they have NO authority over me but the people here in colorado say to leave their state to resolve it? Its completely human trafficking…
Heres an update on the southeast alaska region health corporations rapist jeff fultz hearing.
1JU-21-00410CR State of Alaska vs. Fultz, Jeffrey C LRW
Case Type: Criminal
Case Status: Reopened
File Date: 04/07/2021
Case Judge: Woolford, Larry R
Next Event: 08/25/2025
All Information
Party Information
Fultz, Jeffrey C
– Defendant
DOB 07/02/1962
Alias
Party Attorney
Attorney Christie, III, R JamesBar Code 0311052Phone (907)274-4621
State of Alaska
– Prosecution
DOB
Alias
Party Attorney
Attorney District Attorney (1JU)Bar Code DA1JUPhone
Attorney Gillum, JessalynBar Code 2111111Phone (907)465-3620
Attorney Tendy, KrystynBar Code 2403028Phone (907)334-2422
Party Charge Information
Fultz, Jeffrey C – Defendant
Charge # 1:
AS1141420a4 – Class B Felony AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof
Original Charge AS1141420A4 AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof (Class B Felony)Indicted Charge AS1141420A4 AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof (Class B Felony)Amended Charge DV Related? NoModifiers NoneStage Date 01/16/2025
ATN # 116677575Tracking # 001Offense Location JuneauDate of Offense 11/08/2019
Party Charge Disposition
Disposition Date
Disposition
07/24/2024
Dismissed in the Furtherance of Justice
01/16/2025
Charge Refiled
Fultz, Jeffrey C – Defendant
Charge # 2:
AS1141420a4 – Class B Felony AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof
Original Charge AS1141420A4 AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof (Class B Felony)Indicted Charge AS1141420A4 AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof (Class B Felony)Amended Charge DV Related? NoModifiers NoneStage Date 01/16/2025
ATN # 116677575Tracking # 002Offense Location JuneauDate of Offense 12/27/2019
Party Charge Disposition
Disposition Date
Disposition
07/24/2024
Dismissed in the Furtherance of Justice
01/16/2025
Charge Refiled
Fultz, Jeffrey C – Defendant
Charge # 3:
AS1161118A2 – Class A Misdemeanor AS11.61.118(a)(2): Harassment 1 – Touch Genitals / Butx / Breast
Original Charge AS1161118A2 AS11.61.118(a)(2): Harassment 1 – Touch Genitals / Butx / Breast (Class A Misdemeanor)Indicted Charge AS1161118A2 AS11.61.118(a)(2): Harassment 1 – Touch Genitals / Butx / Breast (Class A Misdemeanor)Amended Charge AS1161118A2 AS11.61.118(a)(2): Harassment 1 – Touch Genitals / Butx / Breast (Class A Misdemeanor)DV Related? NoModifiers NoneStage Date 07/23/2025
ATN # 116677575Tracking # 004Offense Location JuneauDate of Offense 08/01/2019 – 09/01/2019
Party Charge Disposition
Disposition Date
Disposition
07/24/2024
Dismissed in the Furtherance of Justice
01/16/2025
Charge Refiled
Fultz, Jeffrey C – Defendant
Charge # 4:
AS1141420A4 – Class B Felony AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof
Original Charge AS1141420A4 AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof (Class B Felony)Indicted Charge AS1141420A4 AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof (Class B Felony)Amended Charge AS1141420A4 AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof (Class B Felony)DV Related? NoModifiers NoneStage Date 07/23/2025
ATN # 116677575Tracking # 005Offense Location JuneauDate of Offense 10/01/2015 – 02/01/2016
Party Charge Disposition
Disposition Date
Disposition
07/24/2024
Dismissed in the Furtherance of Justice
01/16/2025
Charge Refiled
Fultz, Jeffrey C – Defendant
Charge # 5:
AS1141420A4 – Class B Felony AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof
Original Charge AS1141420a4 AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Healt (Class B Felony)Indicted Charge AS1141420A4 AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof (Class B Felony)Amended Charge AS1141420A4 AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof (Class B Felony)DV Related? NoModifiers NoneStage Date 07/23/2025
ATN # 116677575Tracking # 006Offense Location JuneauDate of Offense 03/01/2014 – 09/01/2014
Fultz, Jeffrey C – Defendant
Charge # 6:
AS1141420a4 – Class B Felony AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof
Original Charge AS1141420a4 AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Healt (Class B Felony)Indicted Charge AS1141420A4 AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof (Class B Felony)Amended Charge AS1141420A4 AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof (Class B Felony)DV Related? NoModifiers NoneStage Date 08/14/2025
ATN # 116677575Tracking # 007Offense Location JuneauDate of Offense 03/01/2019 – 11/01/2019
Party Charge Disposition
Disposition Date
Disposition
05/21/2025
Dismissed by Prosecution CrR43(a)(1)
08/14/2025
Charge Refiled
Fultz, Jeffrey C – Defendant
Charge # 7:
AS1141420a4 – Class B Felony AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof
Original Charge AS1141420a4 AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Healt (Class B Felony)Indicted Charge AS1141420A4 AS11.41.420(a)(4): Sex Assault 2- Contact By Health Prof (Class B Felony)Amended Charge DV Related? NoModifiers NoneStage Date 06/03/2021
Maybebthey can psy resitution for their fraud waste and abuse. Can we have competition? Udee!
Well that didn’t take long.
It is very clear that ANCSA doesn’t matter anymore, as we apparently can just ignore it.
Then there is the haste to beat the currently pending litigation, to assert jurisdiction where none is granted!
We don’t need it, we don’t want it, so of course we’re gonna get stuck with it.
Ours is a community dedicated to finding new and interesting ways to self destruct.
If the allotment is on the backside, expect a run of accidents. The road does not support an increase in traffic, especially drunk drivers.
70 tribal members, yet they are constantly up for grabbing land and doing land deals. Clearly being utilized for shady business laundering operation
Native Fatigue.
And Douglas used to be such a sleepy little place.
Revenge of the Wagon Burners!
Isn’t Richard Peterson still on leave after abuse allegations from multiple women?
‘https://mustreadalaska.com/tlingit-haida-president-placed-on-leave-after-abuse-allegations-multiple-women-come-forward/
Do they still have to acquire (purchase an existing) liquor license? Or are they exempt from that requirement also?
Where exactly on Douglas Island is this? The North end? (sorry if this has been answered – I can’t read through all the previous comments).
And, what ever happened with the allegations and subsequent “administrative leave” of Richard Peterson? Seems things are silent. Anyone?
Up Fish Creek Road on the way to Eaglecrest.
If it was soapy Smith or someone of his ilk you would be positive and put him in the hero circle.
Why all the bleating? You’ll either be sheared or butchered: it’s not as if the public has a higher calling!