Judge Puts Indian Casino Project on Hold
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A judge has placed an American Indian casino project in Ione on hold until officials determine who leads the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians.
U.S. District Judge Frank Damrell continued a January injunction to allow the Bureau of Indian Affairs to determine if Donnamarie Potts or Rhonda Morningstar Pope is the dozen-member tribe’s leader.
In December, the bureau ruled that Pope had the right to form a tribal government after she questioned Potts’ tribal lineal descent. Potts filed an appeal and continued with the tribe’s casino project.
Pope said she doesn’t want a casino on the Buena Vista Rancheria because it is sacred ground.
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