Tribal leader says bands with casinos should share with have-nots

The Associated Press

      VINELAND, Minn. -- Minnesota's most prosperous American Indian bands should join together to provide financial help to less fortunate bands, the head of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe said today.

      Chief executive Melanie Benjamin, in her annual address to band members, urged tribes to revive their tradition of sharing their wealth. She envisions contributions to a foundation that would distribute grants, and said she's already sent a proposal to other tribes.

      `As a band, we have an obligation to share with people who do not have enough,'' Benjamin said. ``We must do this because it's what we've been taught. We do this because we can - and we do this because it is the right thing to do.''

      The White Earth, Red Lake and Leech Lake tribes, all in far northwestern Minnesota, have discussed partnering with the state of Minnesota to open a new casino in the Twin Cities area. The Mille Lacs band and other tribes with casinos already established in the area oppose the idea, worried that it would hurt their business.

      Gov. Tim Pawlenty has said the wealthy tribes could maintain their monopoly by paying the state $350 million from their gambling revenue. Tribal leaders have so far rebuffed Pawlenty's suggestion.

      Benjamin said she'd been working on her proposal for several months and it isn't a direct response to Pawlenty. But she admitted many band members would rather see money go to help other tribes instead of to the state's general fund.

      ``For some reason, the citizens of Minnesota don't believe we give,'' Benjamin said. ``By starting this foundation, it would allow us to formalize our giving.''

      Benjamin said she's raised the proposal with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota, who own Mystic Lake Casino, and with the Prairie Island Indian Community, owner of Prairie Island Resort and Casino.

      She said she suggested an initial investment of $50 million.

      Officials said it's not clear how the foundation would distribute its grant money.

      ``It's important to say that this is in the very early stages right now,'' said Tadd Johnson, the Mille Lacs band's chief lobbyist.

      In the meantime, tribal secretary Herb Weyaus said no negotiations are planned with the governor's office. He said the Mille Lacs band remains opposed to sharing revenue directly with the state.

      ``We are people of our word - let us hope the legislators are also people of their word, and that they hold to the agreements in our compacts,'' Weyaus said.

      Pawlenty's office didn't immediately respond to Benjamin's address. Officials with the White Earth and Prairie Island bands didn't immediately return phone calls or respond to requests for comment.

      Willie Hardecker, a spokesman for the Shakopee Mdewakanton, said the band supports Benjamin's idea, though officials aren't immediately sure how they want to participate. He noted the Shakopee band already makes regular grants and loans to other tribes, citing three separate grants of $1 million or more in the past two years to the Bois Forte, Upper Sioux and White Earth bands.