Sault Tribe still working on land deal for off-reservation casino

Thursday, October 18, 2012  

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians faces a November 1 deadline to acquire land for an off-reservation casino in Lansing, Michigan.

The tribe, the city and developers have been working on a deal for several months. Attorney John Wernet told Michigan Radio that the partners are “on track to close on the purchase by November 1, though the amount of work….is a bit daunting.”

The site in downtown Lansing is being purchased with funds from the Michigan Indian Land Claims Settlement Act. As a result, the tribe believes the Bureau of Indian Affairs will be required to place the land in trust.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has already filed a lawsuit in hopes of stopping the project.

Get the Story:
Deadline ahead for Lansing casino project (Michigan Radio 10/18)
Michigan Won't Take Casino Plans Lying Down (Courthouse News Service 9/28)

Editorial: Continue plan for Soo Tribe off-reservation casino (9/13)