Two Minnesota tribes pin hopes on urban casino

Monday, April 12, 2004  

Two Minnesota tribes say an urban casino will create jobs, reduce poverty and help them become more self-sufficient.

That's what gaming has done for other tribes in the state. But the boom has passed by the White Earth and the Red Lake bands of Ojibwe, who make up two-thirds of Minnesota's Indian population and suffer from poor housing, high crime and other problems linked to poverty.

The two tribes operate casinos but revenues are too small to make an impact. So they are backing a bill to create a casino in the Twin Cities, and are willing to share revenues with the state in hopes of getting some benefits. But other tribes with successful casinos oppose the proposal, fearing an urban facility will destroy their market.

Get the Story:
A TRIBAL DIVIDE (The St. Paul Pioneer Press 4/11)