Grand Forks tribal casino in talks

September 1

In North Dakota, tribal officials are continuing their communications with Grand Forks officials regarding plans for a casino in that city.

Grand Forks Mayor Mike Brown, City Council member Curt Kreun and two city staffers visited the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation on Monday, in order to strengthen ties with the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and talk about the off-reservation casino project.

Tribal officials said the band's history with the Grand Forks region is a driving force behind the proposed partnership.

Councilman Les LaFountain gave a brief overview of the ties between the two areas. He said that historically, the tribe's lands extended along the Red River Valley.

The groups have come to an agreement that they have a long road ahead to get an off-reservation casino up and running. They would need the approval of the Legislature, and they could face opposition from other tribes.

Monday's meeting was mostly geared towards the two groups getting to know each other. The Tribal Council hosted a luncheon and then took the city representatives on a bus tour of the reservation, stopping at the new community college facility, the site for the upcoming Ojibwa Indian School and the Sky Dancer Hotel and Casino.

It is said that both parties were excited at the chance of meeting and talking. Both groups emerged from the meeting with positive thoughts.

The groups agreed that communication is key in the process. They plan a presentation for the Grand Forks City Council and then for the Grand Forks community, although no dates have been officially set.