Cayuga Nation to Pursue Mediation to Resolve Tribal Leadership.

HAMBURG, N.Y. -- The Cayuga Provisional Council announced today that it has contacted the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to accept the agency's offer to mediate with the Provisional Council and other Cayuga members to resolve all outstanding leadership issues within the tribe. In much the same way that the Provisional Council sought to alleviate such matters earlier this year by holding a special election, this new course of action is a positive step towards uniting the Cayuga Nation and pursuing what is best for all members in the State of New York. This mediation follows the advice of the BIA, which concluded that it has insufficient evidence to alter its recognition of the Cayuga Nation's form of government, and it thus cannot accept the Provisional Council as properly authorized to represent the Cayuga Nation in dealings with the Federal Government.

"Mediation by the BIA will bring clarity and cohesiveness to our Nation. It is the most logical way to quickly resolve divisive and long standing leadership issues," said Cayuga Nation Provisional Council spokesman Gary Wheeler.

"Working with our partner, the Cayuga Provisional Council, we fully support mediation to finally resolve these outstanding leadership issues and gain support from the BIA. We believe the Cayuga Nation of New York can bridge these matters and, in doing so, move towards development of a Cayuga casino in the Catskills - a significant benefit to each clan and all tribal members," commented David Hanlon, CEO and president of Empire Resorts (NASDAQ: NYNY).