Opinion: Off-reservation gaming can benefit tribe

Wednesday, July 6, 2005  

"The onslaught of tribes seeking lands for off-reservation gaming have increased incredibly over the years. And the Turtle Mountain Reservation is not immune. Lands in Grand Forks, North Dakota have been sought after to be utilized for an off-reservation tribal casino to be owned by the Turtle Mountain Ojibwa. Personally, I have no qualms about the construction of a Turtle Mountain-run tribal casino in Grand Forks. It would increase the revenue that the tribe is currently making, and in the process opening a number of employments into the economic system. Many will argue that the casino is in Grand Forks and would not necessarily help the unemployment rates in Belcourt (which is three hours away). I believe that the opportunity of job placement in Grand Forks would work as an incentive for people in Belcourt to re-locate."

Get the Story:
Is off-reservation gaming a gamble? (The American Chronicle 7/6)