The Native Blog

DeKalb County may revive discussion on Tribal bingo Hall

DeKalb County may revive discussion on Tribal Bingo Hall

"In a surprising move, DeKalb County has reversed its position on working with an American Indian tribe that wants to build a bingo hall near the tiny town of Shabbona.

   The DeKalb County Board's Executive Committee  voted 7-1 Tuesday night to send to the full board an "agreement of purpose" to establish ground rules for negotiations  regarding a 128-acre farm near Shabbona. The committee broke off talks with the Prairie Band Potawatomi of Mayetta, Kan., last fall." 

Shabbona

The Tribe's Plan includes a Government Building

The Tribe's plan includes a Government Building

"The bingo facility they envision would be about 22,000 square feet, for about 300 players, with a parking lot for 200 cars-and they said the operation “would be less disruptive than a school sporting event.” The facility, which they said would have “serene landscaping,” also would have a food and beverage service, security and surveillance.

In addition to the cars, there would be four to five chartered buses stopping each day with bingo players.

They also said the facility would “bring 400 jobs (with benefits) to this area.” Tribal Chair Tracy Stanhoff said the tribe buys from local businesses, such as bread from local bakeries and she added, “We aren't going to be a burden on this community.”

A question was asked if a joint agreement could rule out the possibility of expansion, and Stanhoff said, if the operation is successful, they wouldn't want to eliminate that possibility. However, Attorney Jordan Gallagher, in Sycamore, who represents the tribe locally, said a joint agreement could require any plan for expansion to again come before the county board.

After the meeting, board member Mike Haines said he was “much more inclined” to support negotiations. “I think it would be in the best interest of both the Potawatomi Nation and county taxpayers.”

Also Tribe states its case for negotiations.

A Tribal Member's thoughts on the Shabbona land deal

A Tribal Member's thoughts on the Shabbona land deal!

"It is apparent that our Tribal Council is confused about sovereignty? For decades and centuries, Tribes have been fighting for our inherent sovereignty (the right to govern ourselves) recognized by the United States since the establishment of the first Indian treaty in 1778. Sovereignty is our birthright and has been since the beginning of our time, not theirs." 

'Sunlight Needed' by Mac McIntyre

"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."

Read more from article by Mac McIntyre

The Tribe wants to get the ball rolling...

The Tribe wants to get the ball rolling on Bingo Parlour

Below Council person Jimmy Potter and Chairwoman Tracy Stanhoff leaving the meeting!

Business Group Backs Bingo Plan

SHABBONA - Shabbona Business Association members are showing their support for a proposed American Indian bingo parlor, but Village President Claudia Hicks said there is no formal request from the tribe to make the plan a reality.

Read the Story

You'd think the tribal council would take care of some tribal business, instead of going out to Vegas and celebrating about the way they scared half the rez in voting against the percap increase, or going half way across the country to hand some so-called warrior award to some other tribes, or going down to  Lawrence, Kansas and crying about the Haskell President retiring.

O well I think I will go to the mall today and see if I can get the last parking space!
 

SHABBONA - Shabbona Business Association members are showing their support for a proposed American Indian bingo parlor, but Village President Claudia Hicks said there is no formal request from the tribe to make the plan a reality.

Read the Story

You'd think the tribal council would take care of some tribal business, instead of going out to Vegas and celebrating about the way they scared half the rez in voting against the percap increase, or going half way across the country to hand some so-called warrior award to some other tribes, or going down to  Lawrence, Kansas and crying about the Haskell President retiring.

O well I think I will go to the mall today and see if I can get the last parking space!
 

From Paper in Illinois

Sycamore-There were no coups or major disagreements during the DeKalb County Board's reorganization meeting Monday. With Democracts holding a majority for the first time in recent memory, the theme was 'working together."

The meeting is held once every two years after an election to swear in newly elected and re-elected board members and appoint committee chairmen.

At this meeting the county board chairwoman Ruth Ann Tobias said one the major goals of the board was to hammer out a jail plan, work on economic development to help bring a program to help support business and industry in the county, and work with the Potawatomi Indians on their bingo parlor plans for Shabbona.

The link to this story will posted as soon as it is available!

So It Goes

A Dekalb County Historian  says she has a copy of the deed Chief Shabbona supposedly signed releasing the tribe's claim. However, she added, “It was felt that he didn't understand what he was doing." Isn't it nice to be a County Historian and rewrite history when you like? 

And in other news, Indianz.com  says Jack Abramoff is off to prison today! Indianz.com--In the Hoop  said:

"So just in case any tribal leaders want to pay their respects, here are the rules on visiting hours, his prisoner number is 27593-112. he's 47 years old, he's "white", he's reportedly "In Transit' according to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Good luck!"

I sure hate to see CasinoJack go to prison, he sure would have been a lot of help in getting us a casino in DeKalb County!

Prairie Band to give $2,000 to Native Student group in Illinois

Prairie Band to give $2,000 to Native group in Illinois