St. Croix Band hopeful with Obama administration

The St. Croix Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin says its off-reservation casino will be reviewed more favorably by president-elect Barack Obama's administration.

The St. Croix Band and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians plan a casino in Beloit. Despite strong local support, the tribes fear Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne is about to kill the project because he opposes off-reservation gaming.

"You'll hear a cheer from Indian country when Dirk Kempthorne is removed," casino spokesperson Joe Hunt told The Beloit Daily News.

The tribe filed a lawsuit to challenge new gaming policies at the Bureau of Indian Affairs. A federal judge rejected the claims but the tribe is appealing.

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