Seneca Nation ready for arbitration

The Seneca Nation of Indians has picked its attorney for the arbitration that’ll take place to settle with the state of New York.

US.- Kevin Washburn has been appointed as the Seneca Nation of Indians’ attorney for the arbitration to take place in order to settle with the state of New York. The former federal prosecutor has already worked with the National Indian Gaming Commission and as the assistant secretary for Indian Affairs with U.S. Department of Interior so he’s considered an expert in tribal-state interactions.

The Seneca Nation released a statement in which president Todd Gates said their new attorney is the “leading authority in the area of Indian Law and policy” and added: “We are confident in his service as a member of the arbitration panel. He brings a deep understanding of the federal framework that governs all Native gaming compacts, compact obligations, and how state governments should interact with Native nations.”

The three-member arbitration panel will hear both the tribe and the state regarding what the Seneca Nation describes as the “completion” of a payment to New York for the operation of three Western New York casinos. Despite the tribe willingness to negotiate with the state, both parties couldn’t reach an agreement.

“It’s now been seven months since we fulfilled our compact payment obligation. Arbitration was the path Governor Cuomo chose over dialogue,” Gates asserted.