U.S. Rep. Diane Watson (D-Calif.) has introduced federal legislation designed to encourage—or some say force—the Cherokee Nation to allow Cherokee Freedmen, the descendants of former black slaves, citizenship in the tribe. The bill would pull an estimated $300 million in federal funding and remove the tribe’s sovereign ability to conduct gaming.

In yet another example of economic diversification using gaming revenue, the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority recently completed a $4.4 million purchase of what now is called the Mohegan Sun Country Club, located some 20 minutes from the Mohegan Sun. The ceremonial kickoff featured 20 members of the LPGA Legends Tour, including a number of members of the LPGA Hall of Fame. The course also will host the Ah

Members of the Gila River Indian Community, located near Phoenix, soon will be voting on whether the tribe’s government should provide per capita payments using revenue from its three Community casinos. Since the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act specifies the terms for revenue distribution that must be met before a tribe can elect to provide per caps, which include providing for governmental services and a tribe’s general welfare, such payments actually are relative