Connecticut tribes turn to federal grants as casinos struggle

Monday, March 25, 2013  

Connecticut's two federally recognized tribes are seeking more government aid as their casinos continue to struggle, the Associated Press reports.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation received $1 million from the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 2008, right before the recession hit. The amount jumped to $2.7 million in 2011, the AP reported.

The Mohegan Tribe, is seeking more federal aid too although exact figures weren't reported. "At the end of the day, why shouldn't we apply for it? If we get approved, it's always for a good cause, usually health or jobs created, Chairman Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum told the AP.

Both tribes were known for returning a portion, or all, of their tribal priority allocation (TPA) funds to the BIA so that others in their region could benefit.

Get the Story:
As casinos struggle, tribes seek more federal aid (AP 3/25)
State Lowers Casino Revenue Expectations (The Hartford Courant 3/21)