The tribe hopes gaining reservation status for the land will lead to the start of business at the casino just off Interstate 10 in Luna County, despite opposition from New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who last month ordered state police to block access to the casino.

The National Indian Gaming Commission told the tribe last month that it can't legally open the casino and risked enforcement action if gambling is permitted on the tribally owned land in New Mexico.

The tribe contends that the federal government has been slow to act on its reservation application, despite a 2007 settlement agreement that called for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs to "timely process” the request.

Members of the Fort Sill tribe are descendants of the Chiricahua and Warm Springs Apaches, who once roamed southwestern New Mexico, southeastern Arizona and northern Mexico.