What doesn’t the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma understand about the repeated “no’s” from law enforcement authorities?

A federal judge declined last week to block further state action against an Indian tribe in its Kansas City, Kan., casino or to force authorities to return property seized when the gambling operation was shut down.

The tribe had set up a casino by attaching trailers to a Masonic Lodge in a congested part of downtown Kansas City, Kan., against the advice of legal authorities. It took a while to put the issue into proper perspective, but the justice system now has said to close the casino and evacuate the site.

Even more important, last month the National Indian Gaming Commission ruled that the troubled casino was operating illegally and gave the tribe a week to respond. When the week had passed, state and local officials closed the casino and carted off the equipment.

The Wyandotte Nation is suing for the return of what it claims to be more than $1 million worth of property, including 150 gambling machines. A key legal issue is whether the tribe owns the land on which the casino was located. Property is one thing; the gaming operation in the face of legal denial is another.

From start to finish, this seems to be a case of outright flaunting of the law by a group that wanted to prove it could get away with it. Yet when the National Indian Gaming Commission clarifies the case, it’s time to call a halt.

It is interesting to note that in past years, Indian groups have made attempts to get an elevated casino installed over a tribal burial ground in KCK’s Huron Park, near where the trailer casino was installed. That venture, too, was pushed aside, in the interest of propriety if nothing else.

It could well be that Indian tribes should be allowed to operate other casinos in Kansas, perhaps even in Wyandotte County. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has indicated she would support such a development even if the state pursues her plan to operate up to five state-owned casinos in the state.

Continued haranguing by the Wyandotte tribe in connection with the KCK casino is nothing but a waste of time and money for everyone. Enough legitimate sources have said the site should be closed. Tribal leaders should comply and turn their attention elsewhere.