But the tribes contend that no National Forest land in the Black Hills should be traded, since they consider the compensation issue unresolved. Over the years, tribal leaders have tried, unsuccessfully, to persuade members of Congress to sponsor legislation that would return the Black Hills to the Indians.

Among whites in South Dakota, any talk of returning the Black Hills to Indians is overwhelmingly opposed. And they welcome the proposed Costner project, especially since jobs are scarce in this remote section of the Dakotas and could become even more scarce if Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, the largest employer in the area, is shut down in the Pentagon's effort to save money.

Some Sioux express concerns that a huge new casino would hurt business on eight Indian-run gambling halls in South Dakota. But others believe the huge Costner project would increase business for the tribal halls by attracting tourists who could then be lured into making the three-hour drive to the closest reservations.

"We've got plenty of history in Indian country, and we can compete with the casinos in Deadwood for tourism," said Wayne Barber, the general manager for the new Prairie Wind casino on Pine Ridge reservation. "They've got Wild Bill Hickok and we've got Crazy Horse. They've got Potato Creek Johnny and we've got Chief Red Cloud. We've got a herd of bison, an elk refuge, the grasslands, the Badlands."

Kevin Costner, who is working on a movie in Hawaii, could not be reached. Publicists for the actor have declined to comment. Dan Costner did not return telephone calls requesting an interview, but he released a statement earlier contending that their resort would not hurt tribal casinos and that it would have a "strong, positive, measurable impact on Deadwood and the surrounding communities' economies."

Sioux leaders have also expressed resentment over the $14 million in Federal, state and local tax breaks and incentives that have been promised for the Costner project.

"When the tribes wanted gambling, the state fought them every step of the way," said Tim Wapato, the executive director of the National Indian Gaming Association in Washington. "Along come the Costners, who don't even need the money, and they get subsidies. It seems racist to me."