Indian Gaming

Richard McCloud, the chairman of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, discusses the tribe's plans for a $60 million off-reservation casino in Grand Forks, North Dakota:

Word travels fast, and we’re happy it does. The Turtle Mountain Chippewa Tribe recently proposed to join hands with the city of Grand Forks in developing a destination entertainment complex.

We are excited about the possibilities for both the tribe and the city.

The cornerstone of our proposal is a casino, with a hotel and a few related amenities, such as a swimming pool, small health club and spa for overnight guests; and for those with varied appetites, a restaurant, buffet and cafe.

Make no mistake: This is purely a business proposition. We will be good neighbors and even better business partners.

And we mean business. We from the Turtle Mountain Tribe are not asking for a handout; we are asking for a hand up.

We know that this kind of proposal also requires straight talk. So, let’s be frank. Casino action used to be called gambling. Then, as that word began to sound negative, industry people in Las Vegas and Atlantic City dressed it up with the word “gaming.”

Today, they call it “entertainment.” We want you to know we aren’t trying to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes.

Get the Story:
RICHARD MCCLOUD: Partnership could help GF become ‘world-class destination’ (The Grand Forks Herald 3/16)

More Opinions:
OUR OPINION: Casino faces long but not impossible odds (The Grand Forks Herald 3/16)
Jerry Hjelden: If casino rises, divorce and crime will, too (The Grand Forks Herald 3/15)

Related Stories:
City works with Turtle Mountain Band on off-reservation casino (02/19)