Broken Arrow Residents Fight To Stop Casino

Some Broken Arrow residents say their fight has just begun to stop the city's first casino. The Kialegee Tribal Town is building the Red Clay Casino just north of the Creek Turnpike on 129th East Avenue.

Many of those against it took to the streets Thursday to protest.

The issue comes down to who owns the land where the casino is being built. The residents who live nearby say no one knows who owns it because the tribal town isn't talking.

They gathered in the middle of the day with signs that read, 'No Dice' or 'Protect Our Children.'

"I'm here because I don't want a casino going up next to my house," said Broken Arrow resident Jennifer Parker.

They're angry over what's being built at 111th and 129 East Avenue.

"It's a really bad idea," said Lee Rosenthal of Broken Arrow. "This is just not the neighborhood to have a casino in."

The Kialegee Tribal Town is planning for 12 prefab buildings with slot machines - the beginnings of a much larger project.

"It's not clear to me if it's legal or not," Rosenthal said.

12/23/2011 Related Story: Oklahoma Congressmen Lobbies To Derail Broken Arrow Casino

That's the heart of the matter. The Kialegee Tribal Town is a federally recognized tribe based in Hughes County. It's also affiliated with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

"This land is owned by two individuals who are not members by the Kialegee Tribe, and therefore the Kialegees lack tribal jurisdiction over this land," said attorney Jared Cawley.

Jared Cawley is an attorney specializing in Native American law. He also lives near the casino site.

He says ownership of the land is in question, but residents here are not getting any answers because the Kialegees haven't reached out to their potential neighbors.

He also takes exception when supporters say the casino will bring jobs and money to the city.

"That's a fantastic statement," Cawley said. "The problem is a nuclear waste dump could bring more jobs to the city of Broken Arrow, but I don't want a nuclear waste dump on this corner next to my home, next to my school, next to my church either."

Jennifer Parker says she had to speak out against the casino because of her 15-month-old son. She doesn't want the casino lifestyle to be down the street from where he grows up.

"Okay, I don't mind it if it's on the other side of town but, right here, where we're trying to raise our kids isn't really what I wanted," she said.

We have left several messages for the chief of the Kialegee Tribal Town. We were told he was not available but would call us back, but our messages were not returned.

The chief-elect of the Muscogee Nation, George Tiger, said he would only comment after he takes office.