Fort Peck Tribes might scale back plans for new gaming facility

Monday, March 30, 2015

Artist's rendering of the Buffalo Rivers Casino and Lodge on the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana. Image from BRC

The Fort Peck Tribes of Montana might scale back plans for a gaming facility after leaders expressed concerns about a project that has been generating headlines.

The Fort Peck Journal broke the news on March 19 after the council agreed to accept a $29 million loan from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Minnesota. Plans called for a Buffalo Rivers Casino and Lodge that could cost between $33 million and $43 million.

However, tribal leaders haven't officially approved the project or signed the papers for the loan even though the casino's website boasts specific details along with a June 15 groundbreaking. Several are now wondering whether the proposed facility might be too big so they plan to study the issue further.

“I can’t support it. Too much has been spent already and we could use that money for something here to help our elders and youth,” council member Pearl Hopkins said at a meeting on Thursday, The Fort Peck Journal reported. “I always pray about things like this.”

The council took a straw vote at the meeting and eight out of 12 council members said they want to reconsider the size of the project, the paper reported. If they change their minds, they could go back to the Shakopee Tribe and ask for less money or look at other funding sources.

Get the Story:
Fort Peck Tribal Council’s straw poll ends $33 million casino project (The Fort Peck Journal 3/27)
Fort Peck Casino progress rolls snake eyes, halted indefinitely (Q2 News 3/29)