The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation becomes Illinois' lone acknowledged tribe.
The United States government has identified the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation as the only sovereign tribal nation in Illinois. This acknowledgment was announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior on Friday.
This decision involves transferring 130 acres of property situated 70 miles west of Chicago into the tribe's possession. This step is essential to transform the land into a tribal reservation, which is a prerequisite for Native American gambling enterprises. The Prairie Band has its base in Kansas near Mayetta, but it traces its ancestry to the land in Illinois.
According to the tribe's narrative, their land was unlawfully sold 175 years ago when Chief Shab-eh-nay was visiting relatives in Kansas.
Recognition of a Historic Injustice
In a statement, Prairie Band Chairman Joseph Rupnick, the great-grandson of Chief Shab-eh-nay, expressed his gratitude for the Interior Department's decision to place the land into trust. Rupnick believes that this move is the first step towards returning the land that was unjustly taken from the tribe centuries ago.
"Our federal government seized the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation's land in Illinois," Rupnick stated. "Recognizing the Shab-eh-nay Reservation through this land placement is an essential action to return the land that belongs to the tribe."
He further expressed his thanks for the years spent fighting for this recognition, affirming that this development is a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the tribe and its ancestors.
The exact purpose of the land has not been disclosed yet, but it's known that the tribe would examine all potential options. Back in 2016, the tribe suggested creating a class II gaming facility, but the outcome of these plans remains uncertain.
Location, Location, Location
The planned casino in Chicago's vicinity might be a lucrative venture. However, the gambling landscape in Illinois has changed since 2016. In 2019, Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) signed a gambling expansion package, leading to the establishment of a large casino in Chicago and five smaller ones in the area's southern suburbs. If the Prairie Band sets up a casino close to the metropolis, there could be concerns of saturation.
The tribe can run class II gaming activities, including electronic bingo and poker, under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act without the state's permission. Setting up a class III casino, featuring Las Vegas-style slots and table games, would require negotiations with the state.
A bill presented in the Illinois House of Representatives in February aims to allocate more land to the Prairie Band. However, it contains a stipulation that the property must be conserved as a public area, which might preclude a future casino. Alternatively, the tribe could face a steep fine if they neglect this stipulation.
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Source: www.casino.org
