North Dakota’s Spirit Lake Tribe is opposing Senate Bill 2376, which would allow the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa to build a $280-$300 million casino and resort in Grand Forks County.
In a report by the Grand Forks Herald, Tribal Chairwoman Lonna Street expressed concerns over the lack of consultation with neighboring tribes. “We felt like a very important piece was missing, and that was consultation with people we call our relatives,” Street said. “It is my responsibility as chairwoman of the tribe to look out for my nation.”
The bill seeks to amend the North Dakota Century Code to permit Turtle Mountain to extend its gaming activities from Rolette County, where its tribal lands are located, to Grand Forks County, where it claims historical ties. While opposed by the Spirit Lake Tribe, the proposal has garnered support from the city and county of Grand Forks.
However, Spirit Lake representatives have expressed surprise at the announcement of the casino project, saying they should have been consulted before the proposal moved forward.
The tribe acknowledged the omission as likely a “misjudgment rather than an intentional oversight.” It also emphasized that the introduction of a new property in Grand Forks could harm existing tribal casinos, such as the Spirit Lake Casino and Resort, by diverting critical revenue.
This, according to Spirit Lake leaders, could jeopardize the financial stability of tribes that rely on gaming to fund essential services. “The opposition to SB 2376 is in no way a reflection of division or disrespect toward TMBCI but rather a response to a legislative process that did not adequately include all affected tribal nations,” the tribe said in a statement.
The tribe also questioned the state’s past decisions, including the expansion of electronic pull tabs and charitable gaming, which they believe have impacted tribal operations.
In an interview with the Herald, Street remarked that gaming is a major economic driver for the Spirit Lake Tribe, playing a crucial role in supporting both social services and community programs.
The Spirit Lake Tribe, headquartered in Fort Totten, North Dakota, is located on the southern shore of Devils Lake, roughly 100 miles west of Grand Forks.
Senate Bill 2376 was discussed in a Senate committee hearing on Wednesday and is currently making its way through the legislative process.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/02/07/94405-north-dakota-39s-spirit-lake-tribe-pushes-back-against-proposed-grand-forks-casino
