Casino deal appears close

By Don Davis

The Forum

ST. PAUL -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty and leaders of three northern Minnesota American Indian tribes appear to be nearing a Twin Cities casino deal.

They reached no agreement during a three-hour Thursday meeting on the White Earth reservation, but in a telephone conference call afterward said they are considering similar ideas allowing the three poor tribes to tap into the Twin Cities market and share casino revenue with the state.

"We are on the same page," White Earth Chairwoman Erma Vizenor said. "However, the words may change some. We are certainly heading in the right direction."

"A lot of the concepts that are in there and the ideas we asked the tribes to consider are similar," added Pawlenty, who emphasized no deal has been cut.

The governor and leaders of the White Earth, Red Lake and Leech Lake bands of Chippewa discussed a variety of issues in what Vizenor thought was the first visit of a governor to the Mahnomen-area reservation.

Sen. Rod Skoe, DFL-Clearbrook, said Pawlenty "did make a specific offer to the leaders." While not revealing details, Skoe said the offer was similar to the bands' Twin Cities casino proposal.

"There is potential for agreement," the senator said. "I don't know if they will get there or not."

Skoe said Pawlenty needs an answer from the bands before delivering his budget proposal to lawmakers in two weeks.

The three bands say their locations do not allow them to earn much from their existing casinos. The Twin Cities casino proposal has been discussed for years, but lawmakers have not approved it.

Vizenor said the three northern tribes comprise 80 percent of the state's Indians, but are among its most economically deprived citizens. Supporters of the Twin Cities casino say it would help tribal members, both those on reservations and those living in the metro area.

Leech Lake and Red Lake leaders said they still need to build casino support on their reservations.

"We have to look at ways to make it attractive not only to the Legislature to get it passed, but to make sure our constituencies are ensured their interests are protected," Red Lake Secretary Judy Roy said.

Pawlenty last year asked Indian tribes to give the state a quarter of their casino profits in exchange for the state allowing them to continue a casino monopoly.

A representative of the state's other tribes said he does not think the three northern bands have enough money to finance a casino. That could lead to a Las Vegas casino financing its construction and becoming involved, said John McCarthy of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Don Davis at (651) 290-0707