Casino liquor nears OK
Tribe’s public safety committee approves sales

By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

Sales of alcohol in casino restaurants on the reservation moved one step closer to reality Thursday. [Indepedend File Photo]

WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Nation Council’s Public Safety Committee voted 6-0 Thursday to recommend approval of the sale of alcohol at the nation’s gaming facilities.

The first Navajo casino is anticipated to open July 4 in Churchrock. The Churchrock community recommended approval of the sale of alcoholic beverages for that site on Sept. 20 with a vote of 36-1.

In making his presentation before the committee, sponsor Young Jeff Tom, Mariano Lake/Smith Lake, reminded the committee that legalizing the sale of alcohol for a specific site on Navajo has already been done for Antelope Point near Page, Ariz., in 2001.

Tom’s legislation, co-sponsored by Churchrock and Breadsprings Delegate Ernest Yazzie Jr., amends Title 17 of the Navajo Nation Code to allow for alcohol sales at Navajo gaming facilities provided that the host chapter approves of the sale of alcohol, the sales are within the confines of the dining area, and that it is done in conformity with applicable laws.

Committee member Benjamin Curley, Ganado/Kinlichee, made a directive for either the Economic Development Committee or the Navajo Tax Commission to develop regulations pertaining to alcohol sales, transport and consumption before any sales are made.

Other committee members wondered if the revenue generated from taxes could be used for public safety.

Elmer Begay, Dilkon/Teesto, noting that criminal activity on the reservation is rising and there is a lack of jails, asked, “How can we direct some money back to construction or operation of jails? How can we get some of that tax back into Public Safety?”

Tom responded that any individual delegate can propose amendments on the Council floor.

“Maybe what you can do is make that amendment,” he said.

Edmund Yazzie, Thoreau, was also in support of directing some of the taxes generated from the sale of alcohol to the law enforcement.

“I for one will always be against alcohol,” Yazzie said. “I would like to see this legislation where part of it can go back to law enforcement.”

Raymond Joe, Tachee/Blue Gap,Whippoorwill, said that the Churchrock chapter supported the legislation and therefore the committee should.

“That’s what they want,” he said.

Kee Yazzie Mann, Kaibeto, who had introduced legislation to legalize alcohol sales on the Navajo Nation earlier this year, also supported the bill.

“To me this is foundation we’re establishing,” Mann said.
Gaming officials said that without alcohol sales in the dining area of the proposed gaming facility in Churchrock, up to 10 percent of net profit would be lost.

While the Sky City Casino on Interstate 40 has no liquor sales, the Dancing Eagle Casino and Route 66 Casino, also both on I-40, allow limited liquor sales.

The legislation passed the Economic Development Committee with a vote of 4-0 on Dec. 21. It must now go before the Ethics and Rules Committee before it reaches the entire Council for consideration.