From the Freep:
Tribal land plan is fair deal for all of state
With Michigan’s unemployment rate continuing to lead the nation, we are disappointed that a congressman from Detroit opposes legislation that would create more than 6,000 good union jobs for his city, county and state (“No special deals for tribal casinos,” June 24).Even more disappointing, U.S. Rep. John Conyers’ letter included inaccurate information about the legislation.
The legislation (HR4115 and HR2176) would create a settlement that compensates the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and Bay Mills Indian Community for lands stolen from our ancestors more than 120 years ago.
The legislation would create new trust lands for the Sault Tribe in Romulus or Flint, where we would build a modern casino/hotel resort. The $300-million project would create more than 3,000 good jobs. Under the agreement, the tribe would pay more than $30 million a year to the state and millions more to local communities. The Bay Mills Indian Community would create a similar project in Port Huron. Contrary to Conyers’ assertions, the settlement is not off-reservation gaming.
The legislation would create new Indian trust lands in exchange for the tribes extinguishing their claim to the lands. Also contrary to Conyers, the legislation is authorized by federal law and specifically allowed under Proposal 1, a constitutional amendment passed by Michigan voters in 2004. The Indian Gaming and Regulatory Act permits creating new trust lands — at times long distances from a tribe’s original reservation lands — as a remedy for land unfairly taken from a tribe.
This settlement is supported by many Democrats and Republicans, including Gov. Jennifer Granholm; former Gov. John Engler; U.S. Reps. Dale Kildee and Patrick Kennedy, cochairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus; U.S. Reps. John Dingell, Bart Stupak, Candice Miller and many more. Also in favor of the bills are the UAW, the International Union of Operating Engineers, and the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council.
Finally, all the communities involved — Romulus, Port Huron and Flint — support the gaming projects through voter-approved referenda.
Aaron Payment
Chairperson, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Turtle Talk 