Accompanied by drumming and chanting, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians recently held the official opening of a tribal police substation in South Bend, Indiana, near the site of its new tribal village and Four Winds Casino, now under construction.
Tribal Chairman John P. Warren said, “This goes to show that tribes and other governments can get along and do great things together. Tribal police serve as our protectors. On their badges are images of the bear. For Potawatomi people, the bear clan is responsible for village protection. Opening the tribal police substation in our village is an important step in re-establishing our homeland in Indiana.”
The 4,680 square foot substation will be open 24/7 and house 12 law enforcement officers, plus deputies with the St. Joseph County, Indiana sheriff’s office and South Bend police department officers.
The Michigan-based tribe and the city of South Bend announced in spring 2016 the tribe’s plans to build the estimated $400 million casino development as part of a 166-acre Tribal Homeland Restoration project. Along with the casino, tribal housing, a community center and health services facilities also will be included. Casino and parking facilities construction began last December, providing jobs for 700 workers. About 1,200 permanent jobs will be created when construction is completed in early 2018.
Phase one will include 175,000 square feet with a 55,000 square foot gaming floor offering 1,800 Class II gaming devices. Four restaurants, a player’s lounge, coffee shop, two bars and a retail outlet also will be on-site. Future plans call for a hotel, event center and nightclub.
The 3,000-member Pokagon Band owns three Michigan casinos: the 10-year-old Four Winds Casino New Buffalo, the 6-year-old Four Winds Casino Hartford and the 3-year-old Four Winds Casino Dowagiac.
