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Tribe Ignores Odds for Detroit Casino27 August 2002DETROIT, Michigan – As reported by the Detroit News: "Whether it's the city of Detroit, the state of Michigan or U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, a 504-member Upper Peninsula Indian tribe isn't afraid to pick a fight with somebody bigger. "Any day now, for example, the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians in Watersmeet, on the far west side of the U.P., expects to hear whether a U.S. appeals court will grant its request for an injunction halting development of three new Detroit casinos until the court decides the case on its merits. "Lac Vieux wants Detroit to redo its casino selection process. In the past, courts have agreed with the tribe that its free-speech rights were trampled when the city played favorites with Greektown and MotorCity casinos' ownership groups. "…The tribe's first and so far only casino in Watersmeet has helped cut tribal unemployment in Watersmeet from 40 percent before the casino opened in 1988 to 8 percent, said Lac Vieux member Ruby Camp, who represents the tribe in political and social matters. "…The tribe, recognized by the U.S. government in 1988, opened Lac Vieux Desert Resort Casino in late 1988. It started with 10 table games and now boasts 677 slot machines and 13 tables. Employing 400 people from the six-county area, the casino is the tribe's main business and is the area's biggest employer. "…If the courts order Detroit to redo its selection process, the tribe will partner with Detroit businessman Don Barden…" |