For the first time in nearly two decades, the Sault Ste. Marie tribe of Chippewa Indians has a new leader.

Aaron Payment, 38, was installed as the new tribal chairman Sunday during a ceremony at the Kewadin Casinos Convention Center in Sault Ste. Marie. The 31,000-member tribe is the largest tribe east of the Mississippi.

He won the post by beating 17-year incumbent Bernard Bouschor last month in a hotly contested election that Payment won 4,190-4,028.

The tribe, which owns the Greektown Casino and five others across the state, was ready to build a casino in Romulus as soon as federal approval was granted. But Payment's election puts those plans into question.

He has said the proposed Romulus casino is too close to Detroit and the Greektown Casino. He would prefer a gaming facility in either Flint or Monroe.

But Bouschor and Romulus officials are confident the new casino will proceed, because any change would have to be approved by the tribal board, which supports the Romulus option.

"As chair, I guaranteed the City of Detroit that we would make up any losses they might suffer if Romulus were to cut into the city's casino revenue. We will be profitable in both Greektown and Romulus," said Bouschor earlier this month. "Ultimately, the tribe or the board of directors will overrule Mr. Payment and give approval for the Romulus casino."

Romulus voters approved a casino and racetrack in December. The $500-million development would rise on 1,200 acres near Metro Airport and possibly create 3,500 jobs.

The tribe reached an agreement with former Gov. John Engler in 2000 that gave it the right to a casino in Romulus in exchange for dropping its claim to land in the Upper Peninsula. The U.S. House Resources Committee held hearings on the agreement last month, but hasn't taken a vote on the issue.

Payment said he hopes to bring more accountability to the administration of the tribe. He already cut his salary from the $1-million annual paycheck received by Bouschor to $100,000.

"It's time to get back to helping our members, rather than the government helping itself," Payment said. "My first goal is to restore the members' faith and trust in our government."

Detroit Free Press
NQR