KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - Coverage You Can Count OnTribal Leader Behind Controversial BA Casino Speaks Out

Tribal Leader Behind Controversial BA Casino Speaks Out

The Kialegee Tribal Town leader is out to set the record straight.  Tiger Hobia says they're not the bad guy.  He says all they want to do is help their elders and educate their children.  

Wetumka is home to the tribe.  Hobia admits they're struggling.  "That old saying borrowing from peter to pay to Paul that's what we kind of look at it that way," he told Tulsa's Channel 8.  Members call Hobia Mekko which means king.  The self described meek man was forced into the spotlight after construction broke ground at the corner of 111th and 129th east avenue in broken arrow which about 90 miles away from Wetumka.  The Kialegee's say it will become the site of the Red Clay Casino, but nearby neighbors and politicians are appealing to Washington to stop it.  It's Broken Arrow's worst nightmare, but it's the best thing that's ever happened to the tribe of fewer than 450 people.  

The tribe says the project is expected to rake in at least $5 million a month.  "There's no opportunity here for them, but they want to educate their children, they want to be able to take care of their elders.  They want to have health for their children and for their elders, and all of their members.It's a game changer," said the tribe's attorney Vicki Sousa.  When asked how they came up with the idea, Mekko Hobia looks to Sousa.  "I think they've had thoughts about casino development for a while," she said. "I'm not sure how that started," Hobia said later.  He's says he's glad it's coming though.  "We think that we, we need something that to least get accomplished and to be self sufficient and not be dependent on the federal government," Hobia explained.

The Kialegee Tribal Town and its attorney says it would take an act of congress to stop the casino and work continues at the construction site. However, Congressman John Sullivan says he's not giving up.  He wants to draft legislation to live local communities more control over such projects.