Tribe Orders Three Feathers Casino Closed

AKWESASNE - The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Gaming Commission has ordered the closure of the Three Feathers Casino.

The casino opened last summer in a 55,000-square-foot building formerly home to the All In Lounge and Tony's Vegas International, a popular illegal gaming facility on state Route 37.

Three Feathers was authorized by "Kanienkehaka Kaianerehkowa Kanonhsesne" or the Men's Council of the People of the Way of the Longhouse.

The group, which considers itself a "sovereign people," is not associated with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council, the only governing body on the reservation recognized by New York state.

Soon after its opening, tribal officials issued a statement criticizing Three Feathers as an unlicensed casino operating without the oversight of a "legitimate gaming commission."

Earlier this month, Men's Council representatives received a cease and desist letter co-signed by SRMT Gaming Commission Chairman Vaughn N. Aldrich, Commissioner Diane Boots and Executive Director Todd L. Papineau.

The letter stated Three Feathers is an "unauthorized gaming establishment," which has never received the approval of tribal government.

"The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Gaming Commission has not issued Three Feathers Casino a gaming facility license, nor have individuals been licensed to conduct gaming activities in the facility. The operation is therefore in violation of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe's gaming ordinance," the letter stated.

"Accordingly, you are hereby authorized to cease and desist operating and advertising this unauthorized gaming facility."

The letter also orders Three Feathers staff to remove all gaming facilities and accessories from the facility. There is no shutdown time line provided in the document.

Tribal officials issued a two-sentence statement in response to the order late Wednesday afternoon.

"We understand everybody's concern about this unlicensed facility," officials noted. "But as of right now, we are treating it as an internal matter."

A Men's Council representative said Three Feathers will not close in light of the order.

"We're not part of that government over there. They have no control over us. We're not tribal members," according to Rarahkwisere, the men's council "Wolf Clan" representative.

Some Men's Council representatives are questioning the letter's authenticity, he said.

"The letter looked kind of phony, the one we got," he said.

There is a "vicious rumor" the SRMT gaming commission will soon be traveling to Three Feathers backed up by tribal police to shut it down, he said.

"It's not going to happen," he said. "It's the people's casino. The people will rise up."

Chaz J. Kader, who described himself as a volunteer clerk with Men's Council, said the recession has taken its toll on the casino. The number of employees working there, which was about 85 last summer, has since dropped by 40 percent. Hours have been cut too, he said.

"I do know there's been some consolidation of the positions. I think the recession has exhibited itself," he said. "There are less people working there for sure. I do know it's gone down to the brass tacks."

Rarahkwisere said the casino was on the "upswing."

"Usually three or four years go by before you get an upswing," he said.

Three Feathers has not yet had a grand opening celebration, he said.

"We're rearranging stuff," he said. "We're just trying to get all the bugs straightened out."

New York State Racing and Waging Board spokesman Lee Park declined to comment on the order.