Eklutna tribe halts Birchwood casino construction pending federal guidance
The Native Village of Eklutna suspended construction of its planned Chin’an Gaming Hall in Birchwood, Alaska, after a federal directive cancelled a 2024 Interior Department opinion on tribal control of certain Native allotments. Tribal president Aaron Leggett said leaders are seeking guidance on how the change affects their rights before work resumes; the temporary casino will remain open.
The federal policy change leaves the tribe’s planned casino construction on hold while its land rights are reviewed.