Old News But Judge Ludington Formally Approves Saginaw Chippewa Reservation Boundaries Settlement

Here is the order: DCT Order Approving Settlement.

Of note, the court addressed Michigan AG Cox’s objection relating to Nevada v. Hicks, in which the AG argued that the establishment of a “Tribal Enclave” violated Hicks:

The Attorney General next objects to any limitations on the ability of state police officers to enter the “Tribal Enclave” for law enforcement purposes. The Tribal Enclave is a small parcel within the Isabella Reservation, which includes land owned by the Tribe and viewed by the Tribe as essential to its sovereignty. State police can enter the Tribal Enclave only if they are responding to an emergency call, in “fresh pursuit” of a suspect, or with authorization from the Tribal Police. The Attorney General contends that the restrictions are inconsistent with Nevada v. Hicks, 533 U.S. 353, 121 S. Ct. 2304, 150 L. Ed. 2d 398 (2001). In Hicks, the Supreme Court held that a tribal court’s jurisdiction is limited with respect to non-Indian actors, even as to events that took place within Indian country and on land owned by a tribe. Id.at 358-60. Accordingly, a tribal member cannot sue a state game warden in tribal court for executing a search warrant within Indian country where the game warden was seeking evidence of a crime that occurred outside Indian country.

The procedures described in the law enforcement agreement are consistent with Hicks and the interests of the public. The agreement does not limit the authority of the state police to enforce state law within the Tribal Enclave. Rather, it simply requires that the state police officers follow certain procedures before entering the Tribal Enclave. The state police will still be able to execute state-issued search warrants within the Tribal Enclave after obtaining authorization from the Tribal Police. In the event of an emergency, however, pre-authorization is not required. The agreement is a compromise that enables the Tribe to retain a higher degree of sovereignty within the Tribal Enclave without sacrificing public safety. Accordingly, the Attorney General’s second objection is also reasonably addressed by the settling parties.

Michigan AG’s Office Issues Demand to Bay Mills to Close Vanderbilt Casino

Here is that letter: Bay Mills Ltr 12 16 10.

Bay Mills’ legal theory (at least as presented to the NIGC) is here.

Detroit News Laments “Low-Rent Casinos” in Editorial re: Bay Mills Vanderbilt Casino Start-Up

A cheap shot from the News:

Editorial: Rolling the dice

Allowing a slot machine hall without state involvement opens door to proliferation of low-rent casinos

The latest tribal casino imbroglio illustrates what a tangled web government weaves when it attempts to determine who will be winners and losers in the marketplace. Five tribes want Michigan to crack down on a new slot machine hall the Bay Mills Indian Community has installed 100 miles south of its Upper Peninsula headquarters near Brimley, arguing it violates the spirit of the law allowing casinos on tribal land.

In a perfect world, casino locations would be based on business prospects. But because gambling is a regulated industry, the state is going to have to wade into this controversy, and Gov.-elect Rick Snyder will inherit the job of negotiating some new ground rules with the Indian communities regarding the proliferation of casinos.

Continue reading

Congrats to Dr. Matthew Van Astine Makomenaw!!!!

From the Univ. of Utah Press Release:

December 13, 2010 — The University of Utah announced today that Matthew Van Alstine Makomenaw, Ph.D., has joined the Office for Equity and Diversity as the director of the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC).

Makomenaw, a member of the Odawa tribe, from the Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and Little Traverse Bay of Odawa Indians, has extensive experience working with American Indian students in higher education. He was the director of Native American Programs at Central Michigan University, an adjunct faculty member at the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College and served on the Board of Regents for the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College.

The American Indian Resource Center provides support to American Indian students toward achieving success in an academically competitive environment as they strive to reach their full potential. As the director, Makomenaw will guide the development and implementation of campus-wide plans for enhancing the success of American Indian students while working with American Indian tribes and nations in the state.

Continue reading

Pokagon Potawatomi and IUPUI Sign Education and Cultural Preservation Agreement

From ICT:

On Nov. 18, in a scene replete with blanket give-a-ways and reminiscent of a treaty signing, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians entered into a mutual agreement to develop educational and cultural preservation programs on the Indianapolis campus of Indiana University, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis.

Historic in many ways, IUPUI became one of the few universities that supports a better understanding and appreciation of American Indian ingenuity, philosophy and contributions-at-large. Most important is the university’s willingness to work closely with the Pokagons and IUPUI American Indian Programs in the development and implementation of these initiatives.

The Pokagons are the only federally recognized tribe in Indiana with a two-state designation of Indian country status in northern Indiana and southern Michigan. Indiana University, with eight campuses in Indiana including the South Bend campus, lies within Pokagon Band access for educational programs.

The full day of events was created to heighten the awareness and understanding on the campus and in the community of the nature of this government-to-government relationship. While many see IUPUI as a state university, the official signing ceremony brought special recognition to the sovereignty of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.

Continue reading

Interlochen Public Radio on the Bay Mills Vanderbilt Casino Controversy

Here.

By Linda Stephan

A small casino that just opened last month in Vanderbilt is already growing. The Gaylord Herald Times reports leaders of the Bay Mills Indian Community are building on to the small facility, even as questions abound over its legality.

Several other Indian nations say it is not legal and that Vanderbilt is not place Bay Mills has any historic claim to. That’s a traditional litmus test with off-reservation gaming.

The state has yet to decide whether the casino is legal.

It’s no more than a few dozen slot machines and even after expansion, it will be just 2,600 square feet. But it’s widely speculated that this is a test case, and that the tribe would like to build in other places, such as Port Huron.

Play the audio above for more on the legal questions, as seen by Matthew Fletcher. He’s a member of the Grand Traverse Band and an Indian law expert at the Michigan State University College of Law. He spoke with IPR’s Linda Stephan.

 

Bay Mills to Expand Vanderbilt Casino

From Indianz:

The Bay Mills Indian Community of Michigan is already expanding its controversial off-reservation casino.

The tribe opened the 1,200 square-foot facility on November 3. A 1,400 square-foot addition will more than double the size of the casino.

“It’s going as well as we had expected. On opening day we were tickled pink with the number of people who showed up,” spokesperson Shannon Jones told The Petoskey News-Review

Other tribes say the facility is illegal. But Bay Mills says it’s entitled to open a casino in connection with a land claim settlement.

Get the Story:
Casino expands in Vanderbilt (The Petoskey News-Review 12/8)

Bay Mills Indian Community Submission to NIGC re: Vanderbilt Casino

This document was submitted in support the Bay Mills Indian Community’s amendment to their gaming ordinance, and appears to be the legal justification for their Vanderbilt casino.

Here it is: Bay Mills Submission to NIGC.

 

Federal Court Declines to Shut Out the Asian Carp

Here is the opinion: 12-3-10 Opinion & Order.

While the motion for preliminary injunction was denied, the case was not dismissed on immunity grounds.

Little Traverse Bay Bands Completes Financing Restructure

Here is the press release: LTBBOI Press Release Financial Restructure

An excerpt:

The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (“LTBBOI”) is pleased to announce the completion of a financial restructuring with its bondholders. An exchange offer to holders of its $122 million 10.25% Senior Notes due 2014, which was launched October 26, 2010, has closed and is effective today.The transaction will result in the exchange of $143 million of existing Senior Notes and related unpaid accrued interest, for $23 million of cash and $40 million of new 9.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2020.