"The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation (PBPN) and the DeKalb County
Board Executive Committee met March 13 to discuss the tribe's
intentions regarding the 128-acre farm it purchased for $8.8 million in
April, 2006. The PBPN has been trying to negotiate with the County for
its approval to open a bingo hall and government center on the property.
There
appears to be little doubt that the PBPN have a legitimate claim to the
1,280 acres treatied to Shabbona (Shobney) by the 1829 Treaty of
Prairie Du Chein. The 128 acres purchased by the PBPN is within the
boundaries of that treaty. The PBPN has been waiting for the federal
government to rule on the land's reservation status since 1854 when the
matter was first referred to committee.
But sunshine on this
issue is needed. Native Americans have been ripped off far too many
times in history with the Jack Abramoff travesty the most recent
episode.
Corruption has always coincided with Indian and
non-Indian partnerships. John Kinzie, a founder of Chicago, and others
were illegally paid cash allotments with the money that was supposed to
go to the Potawatomi, Ottawa, Wyandott, Winnebago, Sauk, Fox and
Kickapoo tribes in the 1833 Treaty of Chicago. Congress discovered the
corruption and then chose to ignore it.
There are indications of potential funny business at Shabbona."
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