Alaska sues U.S. Interior Department over tribal land jurisdiction, putting Eklutna gambling hall at risk

The State of Alaska has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior, seeking to overturn a legal opinion that grants Alaska Native tribes authority over millions of acres of federally held land. The case, filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., could have sweeping implications for tribal governance and the future of Native-run gaming operations in the state.  

The lawsuit challenges a recent Interior Department ruling that permitted the Native Village of Eklutna to open the Chin’an Gaming Hall near Anchorage last month. If successful, the suit could not only force the closure of the gaming hall but also limit the ability of Alaska’s 229 federally recognized tribes to exercise jurisdiction over up to 2.7 million acres of land held in trust for individual Alaska Natives.  

“This challenge isn’t about gaming. This is about jurisdiction over lands,” said Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor in a statement. “We are asking a court to reaffirm what it has already said — the State maintains primary jurisdiction over Alaska Native allotments.”  

For decades, federal officials held that Alaska Native allotments—parcels of land up to 160 acres held in trust by the U.S. government—were not considered “Indian country” and thus did not fall under tribal jurisdiction. A 2021 U.S. District Court ruling reaffirmed that position, stating that the allotments could not be used for tribal gaming purposes.  

However, in 2024, the Interior Department’s top attorney reversed that stance, allowing Eklutna’s gaming project to proceed. The decision marked a major shift in federal policy, which the state now seeks to challenge in court.  

Eklutna leaders condemned the lawsuit, calling it a costly and unnecessary legal battle that threatens economic opportunities for Native communities.  

“This is not only an unnecessary expense for NVE and the State, but also a time-consuming, unwarranted federal lawsuit that will increase the financial strain on the Eklutna people,” said Aaron Leggett, president of the Native Village of Eklutna.  
Leggett defended the gaming hall, highlighting its economic benefits for tribal members.  

“Fifteen days ago, the Native Village of Eklutna opened its Chin’an Gaming Hall to the public. Already, over 60% of our Chin’an employees are Eklutna Tribal members," he pointed out.  

The lawsuit is part of a wider effort by Alaska officials to limit tribal authority over land. The state has long maintained that the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) placed most Native land under the control of corporate entities, rather than sovereign tribal governments.  

A separate case, currently before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, could further define whether Alaska tribes can place land into federal trust status—another contentious issue with far-reaching implications.  

The federal stance on tribal land jurisdiction has shifted significantly between administrations. During Donald Trump’s first term, the Interior Department opposed efforts to expand Alaska Native tribes’ ability to place land into trust. The Biden administration reversed that stance, allowing tribes greater control over land use and gaming operations.