Gov. Rick Snyder, seated center, holds a summit meeting with representatives of Native American tribes, including Saginaw Chippewa Chief Dennis Kequom Sr, standing second from right.
Competing Casino Plan Nixed, Chippewa Move Ahead with Expansion at Saganing
September 30, 2012
By: Dave Rogers
With the threat of competing casinos nixed by the courts, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe is pushing expansion at Saganing in Arenac County.
Dennis Kequom, Sr., tribal chief of the Saginaw Chippewa Indians, has announced plans for expansion of the Saganing Eagles Landing and construction of a hotel and restaurant to complement the casino.
Tribal Council has scheduled the next "Town Hall" for October 23rd in the Tribal Gym from 6-8 p.m. That meeting will cover all Migizi EDC businesses and their progress.
The tribe was prepared to fight a ballot proposal for eight new casinos in the state, wrote the chief, but the Michigan Supreme Court banned the plan from the Nov. 6 election.
The Tribal Council has partnered with other Tribal communities and the three Detroit casinos to form a coalition called "Protect MI Vote." This coalition is a direct response to another group called "Citizens for More Michigan Jobs" (CMMJ).
"CMMJ is nothing more than a group of wealthy investors who believe there is enough gaming market in Michigan to support further gaming expansion and they want to use the State Constitution to write themselves into business.
"We have invested a substantial amount of money into this fight and we have every intention of winning this battle," declared the chief recently. "Just as we did in 2004 with Proposal one (1), we will fight this challenge with everything we have."
"Currently there has been a lawsuit filed by our coalition questioning the legality of this effort and the petitions themselves. If the courts rule in our favor, we can save some money, but we are prepared to go the distance with this challenge if we have to. Your leadership is ready and willing to do whatever it takes to protect our current reality."
For years Saganing has struggled with growth because of infrastructure challenges, he wrote. "Today our newest state of the art Water and Waste Water treatment facilities are up and running. These services will give us the capacity needed for further growth.
"Currently Tribal Council along with the Project Coordination Team is working on design and plans for an expansion and hotel project for Saganing. The plan is to structure this out as to not negatively impact the day to day operations of the facility. Our patrons have been asking for a hotel and restaurant option for quite some time. This will ensure we stay competitive in that market and continue to provide jobs and future security for our Tribal Community."
State Senator Judy Emmons has announced the introduction of the Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act. This act will allow the State to codify into the Michigan Law the Federal Indian Child Welfare Act ensuring displaced Native Children are placed in Native homes and remain surrounded in their Native culture.