Jeff Haozous (Deming) — The New Mexico Supreme Court plans a March 10th hearing for arguments on an Oklahoma-based tribe's lawsuit to force Governor Susana Martinez to recognize its status in New Mexico.
The Fort Sill Apache Tribe was granted federal reservation status for a 30-acre plot in its homelands in Luna County two years ago, and it contends Martinez is violating a state law and discriminating against the tribe.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that Martinez and her lawyers contend that the Fort Sill Apaches only want a toehold in New Mexico so they can open a casino at Akela.
Chairman Jeff Haozous said despite attempts to reach out to the administration, the tribe has been barred from the state's annual state-tribal summit, excluded from consultations with other tribes and prevented from accessing state capital programs and benefits.
The Fort Sill Apache Tribe is the successor to the Chiricahua and Warm Springs Apache people who lived in southern New Mexico until 1886, when they were forcibly removed to Oklahoma by the U.S. Government.
Today, the 30-acre parcel of land at Akela in Luna County is the extent of the Fort Sill Apache’s restored and federally-recognized homeland.
The Fort Sill Apache Tribe was granted federal reservation status for a 30-acre plot in its homelands in Luna County two years ago, and it contends Martinez is violating a state law and discriminating against the tribe.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that Martinez and her lawyers contend that the Fort Sill Apaches only want a toehold in New Mexico so they can open a casino at Akela.
Chairman Jeff Haozous said despite attempts to reach out to the administration, the tribe has been barred from the state's annual state-tribal summit, excluded from consultations with other tribes and prevented from accessing state capital programs and benefits.
The Fort Sill Apache Tribe is the successor to the Chiricahua and Warm Springs Apache people who lived in southern New Mexico until 1886, when they were forcibly removed to Oklahoma by the U.S. Government.
Today, the 30-acre parcel of land at Akela in Luna County is the extent of the Fort Sill Apache’s restored and federally-recognized homeland.
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