Governor ventures onto Indian reservation to discuss gambling

The Associated Press

WHITE EARTH, Minn. - Gov. Tim Pawlenty ventured onto a northern Minnesota Indian reservation Thursday to meet with tribal leaders who are supporting his push to rearrange casino gambling in the state.

Pawlenty met with representatives of the White Earth, Leech Lake and Red Lake bands. He was greeted by a drum salute, shared fried bread and participated in a pipe ceremony. All involved said the talks strengthened their bond on the gambling issue.

The Republican governor has been trying to get the state's wealthier tribes to share their casino profits, both with the state and poorer Indian communities.

The three tribes he met with are backing legislation to open an urban casino with the state's help and share the proceeds with government.

"Neither the state nor the tribes represented here have made any decisions," Pawlenty said. "We explored some ideas of what a partnership might look like."

Pawlenty said he doesn't want the state to run the casino and he hasn't ruled out letting a private company participate as well.

Erma Vizenor, chairwoman of the White Earth Band of Chippewa Indians, said Pawlenty's willingness to come to the reservation meant a lot.

"We're on the same page although the words might change some," she said.

The tribes that now run profitable casinos in Minnesota have a cool relationship with Pawlenty. He had hoped they would discuss profit-sharing with him in exchange for continued casino exclusivity, but those talks haven't occurred.