"The Bay Mills Indian Community opened an illegal casino in Vanderbilt as a test case to open more casinos in Flint and Port Huron. This reckless action to open off-reservation casinos violates long-established federal and state Indian gaming regulations.

As tribal leaders who are concerned about the long-term viability of Indian gaming, we believe the illegal action of Bay Mills undermines the core purpose of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and the promotion of legitimate economic development on Indian reservations. When Indian tribes act like corporate casino companies, rather than tribal governments, we all stand to lose.

Every unit of government with a stake in the decision-making process on this illegal casino has ruled against it. In fact, the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Indian Gaming Commission, state of Michigan and tribes around the country all oppose the Vanderbilt casino. They understand the simple fact that the irresponsible actions of one tribe can negatively affect all of Indian Country.

Using a legal theory that stretches far beyond any rational legal or historical basis to open casinos, Bay Mills purchased property with “land claim settlement funds” derived by a 1997 act of Congress. The purpose of that act was simply to dispense monetary damages awarded by the Court of Claims in litigation the tribe filed for financial compensation due under the 1836 Treaty of Washington. The 1997 act’s purpose was not to allow tribes to open casinos hundreds of miles from their reservations. This is not just our opinion, but the unanimous judgment of the U.S. government and the state of Michigan."

Get the Story:
Ken Harrington, David K. Sprague, Homer A. Mandoka and Dennis V. Kequom: Tribal leaders: Bay Mills' rogue casino undermines the law (The Flint Journal 2/25)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Bay Mills off-reservation casino remains pipe dream (2/15)