Red Lake members wary of casino deal

Associated Press

      RED LAKE, Minn. - Gov. Tim Pawlenty is pushing his state-tribal casino plan as a way to help impoverished tribes get a share of the state's gambling dollar. But some members of one of the tribes are questioning if they want the state as a partner.

      "I just don't think that there's going to be a whole lot of benefit to Indian people. I mean, we're spending millions. This is huge," said Delores Fitch, a member of the Red Lake tribe. "There's no guarantee that we're going to be getting so many millions back, because the state has never done anything for Indian people."

      Red Lake tribal leaders are approaching Pawlenty's proposal cautiously, saying the tribe won't proceed without the support of band members. Members of the tribal council say they'll call a tribal referendum before proceeding with the deal.

      "Red Lake has always held that if we choose to step out and bow out, and it's not in our interest to pursue it, then we'll do that if we have to," Tribal Chairman Floyd Jourdain said.

      A majority of the tribal council does support Pawlenty's proposal and have lobbied for it. But Jourdain himself is remaining neutral, and said that even legislative approval of the deal doesn't make it a foregone conclusion for Red Lake.

      Under Pawlenty's proposal, the $550 million casino would be a joint venture of the state and three northern Minnesota tribes - Red Lake, and the White Earth and Leech Lake bands of Ojibwe.

      The three tribes are projected to earn about $370 million a year, but would have to cover some operating and construction expenses.

Mixed views

       Tribal leaders who support the plan say it would generate much needed revenue to deal with a wide range of social and economic problems on the reservation. But support is not universal.

      Donald May is one of two tribal council members who oppose the Twin Cities casino. He's concerned that the deal as proposed could change the tribe's status as a sovereign nation, and that it could open the tribe to lawsuits that might jeopardize tribal resources.

      "Number one is our sovereignty. We don't jeopardize the sovereignty of Red Lake," May said. "The money may look good, but if it jeopardizes our sovereignty, it's a no-go for me. To me, sovereignty means everything to this reservation."

      At a recent tribal forum on the proposal, it was difficult to find people who support it. Some tribal members said they're worried about Red Lake incurring large amounts of debt, as would be necessary to pay for the casino's construction.