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Michigan Tribe in Midst of Turmoil

MICHIGAN – As reported by the Detroit Free Press: "The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the largest official tribe east of the Mississippi and owner of Detroit's Greektown Casino, is in the midst of the fiercest turmoil in its 30-year history.

"The FBI is investigating two written death threats against the chairman, Bernard Bouschor.

"…Recently, tribal Vice Chairman Aaron Payment beat Bouschor in a four-way primary, setting up the chairman for his toughest election in his 17 years in office. The final vote -- a mail-in election -- will begin Friday, with votes counted June 24.

"…The politics within the 31,000-member tribe matter beyond its borders because it has become a powerful political force not only in the Upper Peninsula and Lansing, but also in Detroit. New leadership could chart a different course for the tribe's casinos in Detroit and Romulus.

"Payment said that if he wins, the tribe won't have casinos in both cities. 'We told people in Detroit we would be behind Greektown,' he said. 'If Romulus turns out to be a wonderful opportunity and we move in that direction, then we should let somebody else have the opportunity in Greektown. We can't talk out of both sides of our mouth.'

"The tribe plans a $350-million reservation casino in Romulus, which infuriates Detroit city officials because it would compete with Detroit's casinos. The tribe should put a casino in Monroe or Flint instead, Payment said.

"…Revenue at the Greektown Casino lags behind the other Detroit casinos. Businesses the tribe started in the 1990s with much fanfare have failed and closed, including a neon firm and an auto supply company. Profits at the tribe's reservation casinos in the Upper Peninsula dipped last year. Nearly 40 percent of the funding for tribal programs still comes from the state or federal government.

"…Some [tribal] members say that they don't know where all the casino money goes and fear that their grandchildren will be saddled with debt…"

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