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June 16 is a significant day for those eagerly anticipating the arrival of a new retail casino in the Muskegon area.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s approval for a new compact with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians to construct an off-reservation casino in Fruitport Township is due this Thursday.
Although the relocation has garnered significant local support, it has encountered strong resistance from other tribes and casino operators across the state.
Adding to the confusion, the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians are currently awaiting a decision by Oct. 12 regarding their federal recognition as a tribe. If approved, this would grant them the right to construct a casino in a nearby area.
Michigan may have the possibility of acquiring either one, two, or zero new casinos in the years to come.
How we got here with potential Muskegon area casino
The Little River Band acquired a piece of land in Fruitport Township in 2008, with the intention of transforming it into an off-reservation casino. However, due to their existing gaming compact, which permitted only one casino (the Little River Casino in Manistee), they needed to obtain approval for a new compact from both the Michigan legislature and the governor.
The proposal entailed the establishment of a casino spanning 69,000 square feet and a hotel offering 220 rooms on an expansive 86-acre plot of land in the vicinity of Muskegon. On December 16, 2020, the U.S. Department of Interior granted approval to the $180 million venture. Subsequently, Whitmer was given a one-year timeframe to provide her authorization.
The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (Gun Lake Casino), the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (FireKeepers Casino), and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe (Soaring Eagle) are strongly opposing the project as it would significantly affect their operations, considering the close proximity of the proposed site, which is approximately a 2-hour drive away. Despite receiving local support, these tribes are raising concerns about the potential impact on their respective establishments.
The project has faced opposition from Detroit casino representatives as well. Although granted a six-month extension to reach a decision, time is running out for Whitmer.
The Grand River Bands have entered the scene more recently, expressing concerns that this project is encroaching on their ancestral lands. As their tribe is currently awaiting federal recognition before the Oct. 12 deadline, Whitmer finds herself in a predicament when it comes to deciding on the expansion of the Little River project.
The federal government recently denied Whitmer’s request for a further extension, which means that Thursday will be the day of decision.
In the near future, Michigan may witness the establishment of a 27th land-based casino, and potentially even a 28th. Alternatively, the number of casinos could remain unchanged at 26. Regardless, the upcoming days promise an intriguing turn of events.
Outcome No. 1: Little River Band is granted the new casino land
For more than a decade, the Little River tribe has been advocating for the most sensible outcome, which is the establishment of a 27th retail casino.
Once permission is granted, they will be prepared to commence the construction process promptly.
Michigan’s tribes, crucial to the success of their endeavor, do not fully support them. The opposing tribes argue that the casino would breach Section 9 of the gaming compacts, which mandates the consent of all other Michigan tribes for the establishment of new off-reservation casinos.
Michigan has not approved the establishment of an off-reservation tribal casino since 2000. However, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, based in Baraga, has recently been granted permission by the state to open a second Ojibwa Casino in Chocolay Township, which is situated to the east of Marquette.
The proposal put forward by Little River suggests that the new casino has the potential to generate 3,000 employment opportunities, out of which 1,500 would be of a permanent nature.
Outcome No. 2: Grand River Bands is federally recognized, builds own casino
Since 1994, the Grand River Bands have been seeking federal recognition, believing that it would ultimately validate their rights to the land.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs offers various services to federally recognized tribes, including but not limited to healthcare, real estate assistance, educational support, and additional benefits.
If they are acknowledged, they would have the right to construct a casino on their territories if they so desire.
Although Whitmer has not put forth any proposals, she opposes granting the right for Little River to build if Grand River Bands ultimately secures the territory.
Outcome No. 3: Both tribes build casinos
If Whitmer is bound by a tight Thursday deadline, there is a possibility that she may provide permission to Little River for commencing the construction of their proposed casino.
Afterwards, the Grand River Bands could potentially achieve federal recognition, granting them the freedom to exercise their autonomy over their territory as they wish.
Larry Omanelli, the Tribal Ogema of the Little River Band, has swiftly highlighted that members of the Grand River tribe have a shared bloodline and a significant number of them are employed by his tribe. He believes that their dispute regarding federal recognition does not have any bearing on the goals and objectives of the Little River tribe.
Outcome No. 4: Neither tribe builds a casino
The fate of Little River is quite simple, as it ultimately lies in the hands of Gov. Whitmer and her decision.
In the absence of her approval, their plans to construct a casino are rendered impossible.
The federal recognition Grand River desires may not be granted, thus denying them the right to acquire any land for constructing a casino.
Although the tribe has the opportunity to receive the recognition it desires, it may choose not to utilize the land for the establishment of a casino.
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