Artist's rendering of the proposed Kewadin Lansing Casino. Image from Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Michigan v. Bay Mills Indian Community will affect another off-reservation casino dispute in Michigan. Attorney General Bill Schuette sued the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians for proposing the $245 million Kewadin Lansing Casino. But the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals held the tribe didn't waive its sovereign immunity. Schuette is asking the Supreme Court to hear the case. But he's likely to lose as a result of the Bay Mills decision. "The U.S. Supreme Court ruling sends another clear signal that the Sault Tribe is within our rights and federal law to move forward on our Lansing casino, which will create more than 1,500 good jobs for Mid Michigan, and millions of dollars in new revenues for greater Lansing and the entire state," Chairman Aaron Payment said in a statement. Despite the victory on the immunity issue, the Bay Mills casino and the Sault casino are far from being in the clear. Both tribes are seeking to engage in gaming on land they acquired in connection with the Michigan Indian Land Claims Settlement Act. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act generally bars gaming on land acquired after 1988. But Section 20 of the law contains an exception for tribes with land claim settlements. Get the Story:
U.S. Supreme Court ruling may pave the way for Lansing casino (Michigan Radio 5/28)
Flint Township awaits word on what U.S. Supreme Court ruling means for casino proposal (MLive 5/27) Supreme Court Decision:
Michigan v. Bay Mills Indian Community (May 27, 2014) 6th Circuit Decision:
Michigan v. Sault Ste Marie Tribe (December 18, 2013) Related Stories:
Supreme Court backs Bay Mills in off-reservation gaming case (5/27)
Turtle Talk: Tribes dodge a major bullet in Supreme Court case (5/27)
Editorial: Soo Tribe off-reservation casino plan deserves clarity (05/16)
Michigan asks Supreme Court to hear another tribal casino suit (05/15)
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