But two to three years ago, it was the Osage and Comanche leaders seeking renegotiations of the gaming compacts they both called “dated.”

“As you know, the current gaming compacts expire at the end of 2019,” Standing Bear wrote to Fallin on Nov. 15, 2016. “This compact has historically been a great benefit to both the State and Tribal governments. However, the current compact is dated and is not suitable for the current and future business environment of gaming in Oklahoma. I believe it is time to initiate negotiations to jointly endeavor to create a new compact document that will move our respective governments forward for the next decade and beyond.”

And Nelson wrote this to Fallin on Feb. 6, 2017: “As you know, the current gaming compacts expire at the end of 2019. This time period is only (22) months away. ... Logic tells us the current compact is dated and is not conducive for current and future business environments of gaming in Oklahoma. I believe it’s time to initiate negotiations to create a new compact document that will move our respective governments forward for years to come. It’s the hope of the Comanche nation that negotiations can be established and we both collectively come to a mutual agreement that benefits all of our citizens.”

The leaders of both tribes were asked to comment on the apparent change in position.