GRAND FORKS - Tribal leaders say they oppose casinos off the reservation, even though one tribe is considering it.

Members of the North Dakota Indian Gaming Association discussed the idea over the weekend at the Dakota Magic Convention Center near Hankinson.

The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa has suggested a casino in or near Grand Forks.

"This is a tough issue. We all recognize that economic development is badly needed in Turtle Mountain," said Three Affiliated Tribes Chairman Tex Hall. "But, we all live in economically depressed areas. I'm opposed to the extension of gaming. Clearly, this has an effect on all of us."

Turtle Mountain tribal Councilman Stuart Medrud the opposition did not surprise him.

"It isn't surprising that all of the other tribes oppose Turtle Mountain expanding off-reservation gaming," he said. "We all fear that this would possibly open statewide for-profit gaming. When you try to change a law, you are not guaranteed the outcome of that law."

Former Turtle Mountain Chairman Richard Monette, who now lobbies for the tribe, said tribes with off-reservation gambling in other states are doing well economically, and there is no evidence that other tribes in those states are suffering from the off-reservation casinos.

"The towns where these tribes have established off-reservation gaming - Niagara, Milwaukee, Spokane - have experienced an economic boon," he said. "There are a lot of opinions about off-reservation gaming, then there is the evidence and the facts. The fact these facilities have been nothing but beneficial to the tribes and to the off-reservation communities."

Other tribal officials said expansion could hurt business at the tribal casinos around the state.

"We want to protect the 2,000 jobs that we have already," Hall said.

"We don't want to hurt any other tribe," said Turtle Mountain tribal Chairman Leon Morin. But the Turtle Mountain tribe will continue to consider off-reservation gambling, he said.

Carl Walking Eagle, a councilman from the Spirit Lake tribe, said the pursuit of off-reservation gambling compromises tribal sovereignty.

Tribal officials agreed they would like to meet on the Turtle Mountain reservation to discuss the issue further.

"I know the other tribes don't oppose Turtle Mountain as a tribe," Medrud said. "But they are opposed to off-reservation gaming. They think it would be detrimental to their livelihood, their casinos."

Bismarck Tribune
AP
NQR