Family, Tulalip tribe feuding over lucrative land
Sunday, February 12, 2012
SEATTLE (AP) -- A Tulalip Tribes family is feuding with their own tribal leaders over 56 acres of prime land near the tribe's popular casino and outlet mall.
The family of John and Walt Campbell say the tribe and the U.S. Bureau of Indian affairs have stalled development on 56 acres their grandmother left them and their relatives.
They say the tribe blocked water and sewage connections to the parcel, greatly devaluing the land's worth. After doing that, the tribe gained majority ownership by getting enough family members to sell their shares.
Tulalip chairman Mel Sheldon says the tribe bought the land under rules approved by the federal government.
The family filed a lawsuit with the Bureau of Indian Affair's appeals board asking that the family be allowed to privately lease the land.
