2008 Woodie Awards
Port Huron casino land dispute moves to House
Bay Mills says rival tribe is motivated by finances
By: Daniel Monson
Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: News
The tribe has contended the placement of a casino in the Port Huron area would encroach on its ancestral lands held from 1807 to 1836.
"I understand that ancestrally, that's their home," Parker said. "But they're originally from Ontario, so depending when in time you take a look at things, people have a different view on history. But they have no legal rights to the land."
Hill said the two bills have peaked national interest because of the opposition of representatives from Las Vegas' MGM Grand.
"It also sets a precedent," Hill said. "Instead of going through the torturous Department of the Interior process, they can simply get a congressman to pass a bill to let it happen. And if they get it through, they can put off-reservation gambling anywhere. You just have to get a congressman to support it."
The bills have two years to pass through the House of Representatives and Senate before being terminated.
"It's going to be very tough," Parker said. "But in this situation where you have all of the elected officials who were involved in both areas in the area of Charlotte Beach where the land was wrongfully taken and at Port Huron supporting it, I think we have a legitimate chance to get it through."
There is no set date for bills to be brought to the House floor, Parker said. The issue has in some cases divided the Democratic party, with leaders often possessing differing opinions, Hill said.
"This issue has got so many twists to it," he said. "Anyone who says this is going to go right through, it's not. There's so much politics - this is one for the books."
news@cm-life.com
"I understand that ancestrally, that's their home," Parker said. "But they're originally from Ontario, so depending when in time you take a look at things, people have a different view on history. But they have no legal rights to the land."
Hill said the two bills have peaked national interest because of the opposition of representatives from Las Vegas' MGM Grand.
"It also sets a precedent," Hill said. "Instead of going through the torturous Department of the Interior process, they can simply get a congressman to pass a bill to let it happen. And if they get it through, they can put off-reservation gambling anywhere. You just have to get a congressman to support it."
The bills have two years to pass through the House of Representatives and Senate before being terminated.
"It's going to be very tough," Parker said. "But in this situation where you have all of the elected officials who were involved in both areas in the area of Charlotte Beach where the land was wrongfully taken and at Port Huron supporting it, I think we have a legitimate chance to get it through."
There is no set date for bills to be brought to the House floor, Parker said. The issue has in some cases divided the Democratic party, with leaders often possessing differing opinions, Hill said.
"This issue has got so many twists to it," he said. "Anyone who says this is going to go right through, it's not. There's so much politics - this is one for the books."
news@cm-life.com
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