The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors approved an agreement with the City of Lansing to move forward with plans to build a $240 million casino in the city. The move was approved Tuesday, January 24, by an 8-2 vote of the 10-member tribal board. Vice Chair Lana Causley and Director Catherine Hollowell voted against the agreement. The tribe’s intent is to open the casino after receiving federal approval.

The tribe contends there is a provision in the federal Land Claims Act regarding the Sault Tribe that allows it to establish a facility off reservation lands. The provision, the tribe says, sets it apart from others, including the Bay Mills Indian Community in Brimley, which recently attempted unsuccessfully to open an off-reservation casino in Vanderbilt.

“Our tribe has different language in its land claims settlement which allows us to proceed,” said Michelle Bouschor, public relations director for the Sault Tribe.

The project will be built on City of Lansing-owned land to be purchased by the Sault Tribe using interest from its self-sufficiency fund. Because of the specific way the property will be purchased, the Secretary of the Interior would be required to place the land into trust, according to information provided by the tribe.

But, this doesn’t guarantee the Sault Tribe will be federally approved to operate a casino on the property. Securing permission will be one important step in a lengthy process.

Tribe Announces Meetings

Community meetings are planned by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians regarding its plan to build a $245 million casino in Lansing. The tribe is now providing information to the public about the casino through letters to its membership, and posting the latest board meeting video on their Web site, the tribe announced Monday, January 30.

Community meetings about the Kewadin Lansing Casino are planned on the following schedule:

Wednesday, February 1: 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Nokomis- Mishomis Place, Sault Ste. Marie

Thursday, February 2: 2 p.m. at Munising Tribal Center, Munising

Thursday, February 2: 5 p.m. at Marquette Holiday Inn, Marquette

Friday, February 3: 6 p.m. at Kewadin Casinos, Sault Ste. Marie

Tuesday, February 7: 6 p.m. at the school, Kincheloe/Kinross

Wednesday, February 8: 6 p.m. at Manistique Tribal Center, Manistique

Thursday, February 9: 7 p.m. at the community center, Sugar Island

Friday, February 10: 6 p.m. at Willabees Restaurant, Brimley

Monday, February 13: 6 p.m. at McCann School, St. Ignace

Thursday, February 16: 7 p.m. at the Willow Creek Building, Escanaba

Friday, February 17: 1 p.m. at Tribal Community Center immediately after the monthly Elder committee meeting, Newberry

Monday, February 20: 1 p.m. at the Tribal Center immediately after the noon meal, Hessel

Wednesday, February 29: 7:30 p.m. at community center after elder meal, Naubinway