Tribes sue to block Vallejo casino on ancestral homeland grounds

Two Native American tribes have filed a federal lawsuit to try and stop a big casino project planned for Vallejo, California, by the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians.

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and the Kletsel Dehe Nation of the Cortina Rancheria, both Patwin tribes, say the Bureau of Indian Affairs did not follow the proper process when it approved handing over the land to Scotts Valley. They’re also concerned because the casino would be built right near several historic Patwin village sites, right in the heart of their ancestral homeland.

BREAKING: The United Auburn Indian Community as well as the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and the Kletsel Dehe Band of Wintun Indians filed a lawsuit today challenging the approval of the Scotts Valley Casino Project in Vallejo. Story to come later @vjotimesherald

— Thomas Gase (@TgaseVTH) March 25, 2025

Chairman Shawn Davis of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians told the Vallejo Sun, “These anti-competitive lawsuits were completely expected, and it doesn’t change our approach and commitment to the project. We are moving forward in collaboration with the local community just as we have been.”

Tribes claim Vallejo casino approval ‘violated federal laws’

The lawsuit states that on January 10, 2025, the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) gave final approval to take 160 acres of land in Vallejo, called the Project Site, into trust for the Scotts Valley Band. That decision clears the way for the massive development of a tribal government center, which consists of a 600,000-square-foot casino, an office building, and 24 homes.

However, according to the Patwin tribes, that approval violated five major federal laws meant to protect tribal lands and rights. These include the Administrative Procedure Act, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Indian Reorganization Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.

They also say the federal agencies broke key promises, “Promises relied on by Plaintiffs, other federally recognized tribal governments, and the federal courts.”

In a previous legal case, the government promised that Yocha Dehe would get the opportunity to weigh in during the review process. But during those proceedings, “Yocha Dehe, Kletsel Dehe and other federally recognized tribal governments submitted evidence squarely rebutting Scotts Valley’s application for Project approval.” The agencies reportedly didn’t consider it.

In the lawsuit, the tribes argue that the government rushed the approval through, ignoring key facts, breaking their own rules, and overlooking the voices of the Native people whose ancestral homeland is at stake.

Interior temporarily rescinds gaming approval

The lawsuit comes at a time when the Interior Department hit pause on its earlier decision about whether the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians can build a casino on the Vallejo site.

While the land will still remain in trust for now, the Department is taking another look at whether the site actually qualifies for gaming under what’s called the “restored lands” exception. They’ve reopened that part of the review and are inviting all sides to submit any new evidence by May 30.

Yocha Dehe Chairman Anthony Roberts stated, “Nothing is more important than our ancestral homelands,” and then praised new Interior Secretary Burgum for “beginning the process to right that wrong.”

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