Several Saskatchewan First Nations resent the Lloydminster casino project because they weren’t asked to take part. There was a groundbreaking for the casino by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) and provincial officials in June.
Thunderchild First Nation Chief Delbert Wapass told CBC News: “It’s not fair. We have people suffering in our communities.” He added, “We’ve been frozen out.”
Other members echoed Wapass’ sentiments that they were not shown any financial details or paperwork.
Poundmaker Cree Nation headman Milton Tootoosis added that the lack of transparency concerned him.
Wapass insists that if the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, which represents most of the tribes in the province won’t honor the agreement that he believes obligates the to include the First Nations he will go to court to fight the casino.
He told CBC News “You know, I’ve always believed that justice must prevail. And we’re going to do whatever we have to within my legal responsibility, being the elected chief of Thunderchild First Nation, to ensure we’re treated the way we need to be.”
Most experts see Lloydminster as the last city in the province large enough to make a casino profitable. There are existing casinos in Prince Albert, North Battleford, Yorkton, Swift Current, the White Bear First Nation, the Whitecap Dakota Nation near Saskatoon, Regina and Moose Jaw.
SIGA gaming operations generate $260 million annually and employ about 2,000 workers, most of them of tribal descent.
Several other proposals for a First Nation casino in the city have failed to get traction. Finally, Little Pine First Nation Chief Wayne Semaganis formed a partnership with Onion Lake Cree Nation Chief Wallace Fox and together they recruited ten First Nations to join them.
Wapass says that the chiefs of the ten First Nations were asked to commit and sign non-disclosure agreements before they heard any details. When he and others got inquisitive they were, he claims, frozen out.
Wapass urges the FSIN to step in and suspend approval of the construction until all of the original ten First Nation partners are restored as partners. Each partner could collect as much as $200,000 a year.
Wapass declared “It’s not a good feeling, to have a federation that you’re part of not look after the interest of all, rather than the interest of a selected few.” He added, “Why is it that these guys have such a hard time being fair?”
The FSIN has attempted mediation. Vice Chief Bob Merasty told CBC News that it is attempting to “ensure all 10 bands are given a fair shake.” Not all parties have shown up for the meetings he has hosted. However, Merasty said the FSIN will not stop the project from moving forward.
