Page 3 - August 2013

GWL Tax Case continued from page 1.... on that land from state and local development. was passed in 1934 as part of a attached to that land—in this case, taxation.” Therefore, the Court Moving forward the Tribe will also group of laws commonly referred the Great Wolf Lodge facility. found that Thurston County does not be able to decrease attorney fees to as the “Indian Reorganization The County also argued that these have the authority to assess property paid to outside council. The total Act,” which authorized the Bureau buildings could be taxed because taxes on the Great Wolf Lodge. The cost of legal fees to uphold the of Indian Affairs to acquire land on they did not belong to the Tribe, Court did not decide whether other Tribes sovereignty and defending behalf of Indians and hold that land but to a Limited Liability Company types of state or local taxes may against an unjustifed tax by or land rights in trust for the beneft called CTGW, LLC (the Chehalis apply. Should this be the fnal ruling Thurston County was $1.5 million of Indians, commonly referred to as Tribe is the majority owner of in this case, the Tribe will not be dollars. Expensive as that was it “taking land into Trust.” The land CTGW, LLC). required to pay any of the property represents only one year of what on which the Great Wolf Lodge taxes assessed on the Great Wolf Thurston County was assessing on was built is land held in trust by the After reviewing applicable federal Lodge by Thurston County since the Lodge. United States for the beneft of the law, the new leasing regulations that assessment of these taxes began in Chehalis Tribe, and in 2010 was were signed by President Obama 2007. Thurston County has the right to declared to be part of the Chehalis late last year and the Supreme Court petition the Ninth Circuit Court of Reservation. Therefore, the Tribe case, Mescalero Apache Tribe v. The impact on the Tribe will not Appeals to rehear the case, or to argued that the lodge was exempt Jones, 411 U.S. 145 (1973), the be felt immediately. Assured in its appeal the decision to the United from local property taxes. Thurston Court concluded, “where the United position in the case the Tribe has States Supreme Court. Neither County argued that the property States owns land covered by § 465, not paid the County any taxes so court is required to grant those tax assessment was allowed under and holds it in trust for the use of a there will be no refund, nor has the requests. As of the date this article Section 465 because the County did tribe, (regardless of the “particular Tribe saved those funds elsewhere. was written, County offcials have not assess a tax on the land itself, form in which the [t]ribe chooses Therefore the impact will be a not publicly announced whether and instead only assessed a tax to conduct its business”), § 465 sure taxing structure for the Great they plan to appeal or request a on the permanent improvements exempts permanent improvements Wolf Property and future business rehearing. “We Walk as One” at the 2013 Chehalis Tribal Days Cancer Walk had to fnish in order to receive a you to the following: Meja Handle, raffe ticket. This year each walker Heather Youckton, Sheila Bray, received a cancer t-shirt, sunglasses, Russ and Talisa Baker, Pam and small cooler, lip balm, and sun Scott Youckton, Stacy Youckton, block. Jamie Smith, Christina Hicks, Ray Secena Jr., Bones, spring cleanup This walk was a success! I would crew, Kathy from Glenco, Cheryle like to thank all the supporters Starr, Philip Youckton and Brenna who came out walking through Youckton. These individuals sure the heavy rain and fnishing show their support each year to the walk. Your efforts mean so make this walk happen. We are much. I would like to take the looking forward to next year’s walk time to thank these companies, and hope that more people come out departments and individuals for and support cancer awareness. donating items for the cancer walk: Chehalis Tribe Business If anyone is interested in buying Committee, Tribal Administration, The 2013 Cancer Awareness Walk was a success. People a cancer walk sweatshirt please “Walked as One” bringing attention to find a cure and to honor Planning Department, Vocational contact Orinda Goddard at the Tribe. the past, present and future. Rehabilitation, Family Services, Loan Department, Wellness Center, By Orinda Goddard, Cancer Walk Coordinator Behavioral Health, Chehalis Tribe The 6 Annual Chehalis Tribal Days represented this year, an increase Enterprises, Lucky Eagle Casino, th Cancer Walk “We Walk as One” was from the showing last year. There SPIPA, Great Wolf Lodge, Glenco, held May 26, 2013. Thank you to were 96 gifts donated for the raffe, Depo Gifts, Fred Shortman, all the 145 people who came out to which was held after the walk. Each Jodie Smith, Terry Youckton, show their support. We walked over participant had to walk the cancer Cold Stone, McDonalds, The 350 miles for cancer awareness. loop that was marked off with pink Junction, Applebee’s, and Just Out of the 145 people there were ribbon signs, starting at the Tribal Wood Furniture. Special thank 75 Chehalis Tribal members Center, going past the 4-way, down Bubba Boyd give a big thumbs representing the Chehalis Tribe, but to the Community Center, and back up after completing the we also had 14 other tribes being to the Tribal Center. Each walker cancer walk with his family. chehalistribe.org  greatwolfodge.com  luckyeagle.com  eagleslandinghotel.net Page 3