By Paul Giblin | The Republic
Two of metropolitan Phoenix’s largest tribes resigned from a state coalition of American Indian tribes Friday, charging that the association has failed to halt a new West Valley casino operated by a third tribe.
Leaders of the Gila River Indian Community and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community split from the 18-member Arizona Indian Gaming Association during a meeting in Sacaton. With their departures, the association is left with 16 member tribes.
The action exposes a public division among the state’s tribes and may affect the next round of negotiations with state officials concerning gaming compacts.