Wednesday’s grand opening of a new casino in Vanderbilt by the Bay Mills Indian Community has not been well received by either the State of Michigan or other tribes according to recently published accounts.
“There are substantial questions about whether the tribe in fact can legally conduct gaming on this property,” said Liz Boyd, spokeswoman for Gov. Jennifer Granholm in an
The Associated Press is also reporting that objections were voiced across the region from representatives of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the Gun Lake Tribe of Pottawatomi Indians, the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.
A spokesperson for Attorney General Mike Cox’s Office, Joy Yearout, indicated the agency will meet with Bay Mills officials regarding this matter sometime this week.
The Bay Mills Indian Community argued the casino — which hosts approximately 40 slot machines — has already met with all applicable laws for operation at its newest facility.
In a press release on the subject, tribal officials note the operation must take place on qualified Indian lands; the tribe must have a valid gaming compact with the state, pursuant to federal law; and the tribe must abide by tribal gaming regulations approved by the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Secretary of the Interior.
The press release argues the “Bay Mills Indian Community has met all of the aforementioned requirements.”
Tribal Chairman Jeff Parker has indicated the tribe anticipates meeting with state officials regarding this matter.
“We look forward to sitting down and clearing the air on this matter,” he said.
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