The Graton Rancheria tribe (FIGR) has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Interior to prevent the Koi Nation from building a casino in Sonoma County, California's wine country.

FIGR, which operates the Graton Hotel & Casino just 15 miles from the proposed site, claims the Koi Nation has no ancestral ties to the land. This comes after the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) completed its final environmental impact study, putting the project one step away from approval.

The lawsuit challenges the BIA's due diligence in investigating the tribe's historical connections—a key requirement for converting land into tribal territory. According to FIGR, the proposed site lies more than 50 miles south of the Koi Nation's aboriginal territory and historic rancheria.

The legal complaint emphasizes the distinct cultural and linguistic differences between the Southern Pomo tribes in Sonoma County and the Southeastern Pomo Koi Nation, arguing these boundaries "have persisted over millennia."

Koi Nation spokesperson Sam Singer dismissed the lawsuit as "meritless" and filed in "bad faith," suggesting it's an attempt to protect Graton's economic interests rather than cultural heritage.

The lawsuit names Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and several BIA officials as defendants, seeking to halt any final decisions until a "legally adequate" consultation process is completed with FIGR and other culturally affiliated tribes. A decision on the casino project is expected after December 23.

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