Kays, Holly. “BIA Decision Paves the Way for Catawba Casino in Kings Mountain.” Smokymountainnews.com, Smoky Mountain News, 13 Mar. 2020, smokymountainnews.com/archives/item/28681-bia-decision-paves-the-way-for-catawba-casino-in-kings-mountain? Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

This article was useful for understanding the political and legal background of the casino, especially how federal decisions allowed the project to move forward. It helped explain the role of government policy in shaping land use. I found this source through a targeted Google search on the casino approval process.

Nikolakis, William, et al. “The Relationship between Indigenous Peoples’ Lands and Conservation: A Systematic Literature Review.” People and Nature, 20 Apr. 2026, https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.70310.

This article was important for connecting the project to broader conservation themes, especially how Indigenous land management often supports biodiversity. It helped add depth to the discussion of the Catawba Indian Nation and conservation trade-offs. I found it through Google Scholar while searching for Indigenous conservation studies.

Southeast Conservation Blueprint Summary for North Carolina.

This source provided regional ecological context, including conservation priorities and habitat concerns in North Carolina. It helped me understand how development in the Kings Mountain area fits into larger conservation planning efforts. I found it through a conservation database/search related to southeastern U.S. ecosystems.

Team, Editorial. “Catawba Nation Breaks Ground on $700M Resort.” Indian Gaming, 11 June 2024, www.indiangaming.com/catawba-nation-breaks-ground-on-700-million-casino-resort/. Accessed 1 May 2026.

This article was helpful for understanding the scale and economic goals of the project, including its long-term development plans. It gave insight into why the project is moving forward despite environmental concerns. I found this source by searching recent news updates on the casino’s construction.