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Minnesota Tribes, Governor Agree on Casino Plan

MINNESOTA – As reported by the Minnesota Star News: "The Pawlenty administration and three northern Minnesota Indian bands jointly announced an agreement that could give the tribes a metro casino.

"…White Earth Tribal Chairwoman Erma Vizenor called the agreement — which is estimated to yield the state $164 million a year in casino revenues — a 'historic partnership,' speaking at a press conference at the Capitol March 4.

"White Earth, along with the Leech Lake and Red Lake Bands of Ojibway, for years have worked the Legislature for a metro casino, arguing their own tribal casinos are too remote to meet the pressing needs of their tribes.

"…Albertville, Burnsville and the Columbus Township harness track have all been cited as possible locations for the northern tribes' metro casino.

"But Pawlenty said the proposal is site neutral.

"…Pawlenty explained the metro casino proposal as a means of achieving fairness in Indian gaming, which he believes currently favors a minority of the state's American Indian population…"

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