The Oneida Nation remains strongly opposed to out-of-state tribal casinos. These out-of-state tribes are not federally recognized in New York and have no standing in this state.

This issue arose when tribes informed the division that under their interpretation of tribal sovereignty, they did not need to comply with the state's certification program.

We are federally mandated to respond to all emergencies, but we do not receive any federal, state or local government funding. We've sent all of our money out of state to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, so we are in a big financial crunch right now.

There are a number of commissions, both state and tribal, who do not fulfill what the minimal recommendations are. And they put fighters at risk of being hurt.

Other Seminole tribes are not supportive.

If the casinos don't re-prime the pump, then the pump's not going to get re-primed. There is nothing else down here that could do it.