Land taken into trust for Navajo Nation

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) – The Bureau of Indian Affairs' Navajo Area director, Omar Bradley, has signed the final documents taking 405 acres of land into trust for the Navajo Nation.

Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk announced last month that the land east of Flagstaff was placed into trust for the tribe.

Dec. 23's signing clears the way for construction of the $120 million Twin Arrows Casino, the Navajo Nation's fourth casino.

It will be the tribe's first casino in Arizona. Twin Arrows is slated to be built 20 miles east of Flagstaff.

The development will include a gaming facility, a golf course and a hotel.

The land acquisition connects the Leupp Navajo Chapter to Interstate 40 and will provide infrastructure to many Navajos who currently have no electricity or water.