"This is an election year and it’s far easier for my opponents to cast stones and use strong rhetoric. Current claims that the White Earth Nation’s effort to secure an urban casino is a “clever diversion” to substance abuse issues on the reservation couldn’t be further from the truth.

As chairwoman of the tribe for the past nine years, fighting substance abuse issues has been one of my top priorities. In fact, on Jan. 31, 2011, our tribal council passed a proclamation declaring a public health emergency with respect to prescription and illegal drug abuse. White Earth was the first tribe in the country to bring attention and focus to this issue.

None of our efforts come without a cost. And as the state’s largest and poorest tribe, we are constantly looking for grants and new ways to support and fund programs necessary to keep our people healthy.

That is exactly why the White Earth Nation launched MinnesotaWins – our effort to enter into a business partnership with the state of Minnesota to open a metro-area casino."

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