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After the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians decided to moving forward with a temporary casino in Vallejo despite legal obstacles, a nation spokesperson Yocha Dehe Wintun responded to the decision.
Plans by the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians to open a casino in the city of Vallejo faced opposition in March 2025, when the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and the Kletsel Dehe Nation filed a joint complaint to block the move. They argued that the lands are on Patwin ancestral territory and that the Bureau of Indian Affairs should have properly consulted with them before moving forward with the plans.
The conflict continues
That didn’t stop the Scotts Valley Band from moving forward with plans again late last year, with a possible opening date as early as this month. Nation spokesperson Yocha Dehe Wintun told ReadWrite the decision was “deeply hurtful” and a “short-term money grab.”
“Despite repeatedly telling the City of Vallejo and the public that it is moving forward with a government center, Scotts Valley has decided to blatantly ignore warnings from the Department of the Interior and the court and move forward with a ‘preview casino’ while its gaming eligibility is under review by the federal government,” said Chairman Anthony Roberts.
“The City of Vallejo would be wrong to provide scarce city services to facilitate this irresponsible development that could disappear in just a few months.
“Beyond the legal uncertainty, this decision is deeply damaging to the Patwin people, who have deep ancestral and cultural ties to this land. It treats our history, our sovereignty and our lived connection to this place as an obstacle to be pushed aside for a short-term financial grab.”
According to To the Times-Herald, Scotts Valley President Shawn Davis said, “We are moving forward despite misleading opposition from a small handful of greedy casino operators led by Cache Creek. »
The temporary casino would be in place until U.S. Department of the Interior reviews previous approval of the draft, which was released on January 10, 2025. It is unclear how long this process might take.
Featured image: Canva / Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation
The position Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation calls Vallejo temporary casino ‘deeply hurtful to the Patwin people’ appeared first on ReadWrite.
