Red Lake Tribal Council to pursue Gaming Equity Act

At the December 14, general meeting, the Red Lake Tribal Council by a unanimous vote moved to continue pursuit of the Minnesota gaming equity act .The vote total was as follows.8 for: Seki, Roy, Pemberton, Thunder, Green, Barrett Hardy, Martin.,2 opposed: May, Desjarlait.

Although not in a voting capacity, Hereditary Chiefs Sumner, Gillespie, Spears, Spears, and Smith also concurred in favor of moving ahead with the initiative.

The proposal would see Red Lake partner with the state of Minnesota, White Earth, and Leech Lake in a joint Twin Cities Casino venture.

The vote was called for by Chairman Jourdain who stated that the new administration sought to re-evaluate the issue by gathering tribal member input, consulting with experts, and weighing all potential benefits and risks carefully before making a determination in a formal business meeting.

He stated clearly that the tribe will approach any such initiatives with caution and that ultimately any decisions that proceed beyond the legislative stages, and entail incurring any substantial debt loads would be put before the general membership in either an advisory or referendum vote.

Those in favor cited the fact that the tribe had put forth too much time and resources to drop the initiative at this time, and that any opportunity that would benefit the tribe should be explored to the fullest.

Those opposed argued that their vote in part reflected public opinions from constituents both in the communities and in public meetings. They also felt that the state of Minnesota was not a good faith business partner in dealing with Indian tribes.

The Red Lake tribal Council was scheduled to attend a meeting at White Earth on January 6^th, with the three tribes, Governor Pawlenty, and other state officials.