The Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, known as the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation (MHA Nation), are moving forward with plans to develop a major entertainment and hospitality complex on 23 acres of land recently acquired along the south Las Vegas Strip.
The vision includes a 15,000 to 20,000-seat event center, a potential resort development, and future partnerships with major sports franchises, although no formal agreements have been announced.
Tribal Chairman Mark Fox has led the initiative, working for over a year with architecture firm Steelman Partners to conceptualize the project. They have “reached out to a dozen or more entities to build good working relationships with our neighbors, including the Golden Knights,” Fox said in a recent statement. However, he clarified that no official partnership exists with the NHL team and that previous comments regarding their interest were misunderstood.
The land, located across from the Luxor Hotel and Casino, is part of a series of acquisitions the MHA Nation has made in Las Vegas since 2020, including parcels tied to the site of the 2017 Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting. The tribe has already used its land for revenue-generating events, such as leasing space for filming “American Ninja Warrior” and hosting the “Christmas on the Strip” holiday festival.
While the plans are still in early stages, documents filed with Clark County show pre-review applications for a hotel-casino, convention center, and theater. The process allows county staff to ensure completeness before formal submission. County Commissioner Jim Gibson, whose district includes the project site, said he expects the tribe to propose “something pretty significant.”
Despite enthusiasm from some local officials, the project has drawn criticism from tribal members in North Dakota, where the MHA Nation is based. Protesters have expressed concern that investment in Las Vegas real estate detracts from pressing needs on the reservation, such as housing and healthcare. At a 2023 demonstration, signs read “No more off-reservation spending!!” and “Build our future here!!”
Fox has defended the Las Vegas investments, stating they are designed to generate financial returns to support the tribal community.
In November, Fox told the Tribal Business Council that the Las Vegas venture would require roughly $2 billion in outside investment and stated that owning the land eliminates the need for further capital from the tribe. Meeting minutes also noted potential interest from backers of a new NBA team in Las Vegas, though no confirmations have been made.
Governor Joe Lombardo has met with Fox and, according to a spokesperson, “welcomes new investment in Las Vegas.” Meanwhile, Clark County awaits the tribe’s formal application before determining the next steps.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/03/25/99366-mha-nation-eyes-las-vegas-event-arena-and-resort-on-south-strip-land
