News this morning in the Detroit Freepress. Remember the 8% drops to 1 1/2 % when the Detroit casinos open.
Donald R. Harris
New tribe pictures casino, awaits federal recognition
August 16, 1997
BY TINA LAM
Free Press Staff Writer
Michigan has a new Indian tribe -- and it's eyeing land near Detroit to build a casino.
The Gun Lake Band was granted preliminary federal recognition last month, and it's looking at land in Inkster as a possible casino location.
"We've had discussions about that site," said William Church, a tribal officer. The band, whose formal Indian name is Matche-be-nash-i-wish, filed 4,000 pages of documents showing it is a distinct tribe that once was recognized by the U.S. government.
Having received preliminary recognition, the Gun Lake Band still must wait out a six-month period for public comment on the approval. The comment period will end Jan. 16. But it's really just a formality, and most tribes get few comments other than congratulations, Church said.
The group asked for federal recognition in 1992, according to Bureau of Indian Affairs records.
After the waiting period and publication of the documents in the Federal Register, tribal members will go to Washington, D.C., for signing ceremonies.
John Truscott, spokesman for Gov. John Engler, said the governor is not thrilled about having a 12th federally recognized tribe in the state, but said it's pointless to try to stop it.
The governor would have no choice but to sign a casino compact with the tribe, Truscott said. It would follow the same pattern as the compacts Engler signed with four other tribes that have won federal status since 1994, he said. It would allow them one casino each and require them to pay 8 percent of slot machine profits to the state and 2 percent to local governments. The Legislature would have to approve a Gun Lake Band compact before it could take effect; it has not approved the other four tribes' compacts.
The band in 1994 signed an agreement with Sungold Gaming, a Canadian firm, to develop and manage its casino in exchange for up to 40 percent of its profits. Sungold has paid $1 million to help the Gun Lake Band win federal recognition, according to company documents and advertising.
Although hundreds of tribal groups are seeking federal status, only a handful succeed each year. Federal status means the tribe is exempt from many state laws, has its own constitution and is eligible for federal assistance for housing and health care.
The band has about 140 members, most of whom are in Allegan County.
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