Michigan Tribal Casino Island Resort Ditched Reopening Plan After State Warnings
Posted on: May 11, 2020, 03:17h.
Last updated on: May 11, 2020, 03:45h.
In north Michigan, the Island Resort and Casino did not come out of lockdown last week, as its owner, the Hannahville Indian Community, had anticipated. That’s because state officials said they would make life difficult for enrolled tribal members and customers living outside the reservation if it did.
The tribe voluntarily closed its casino on March 21, two days before Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) issued a statewide stay-at-home order in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus. All nonessential businesses, including Detroit’s three commercial casinos, remain shuttered.
But as federally recognized sovereign nations, Michigan’s 12 tribal operators are not bound by the governor’s orders. And facing economic hardship from the closure of its principle revenue stream, the Hannahville elected for a phased reopening of its gaming facility from May 6.
The tribe said it would work with state officials on safety precautions, which would include increased sanitation measures and temperature checks on patrons.
But May 6 came and went, and the casino did not reopen.
Criminal Penalties
Tribal chairperson Kenneth Meshigaud told Native News Online that the tribe’s attempt to reach out to state officials did not go as planned.
Instead, officials warned Meshigaud that, while the state could not legally prevent Island Resort from opening, it could target off-reservation casino employees and customers with violating the governor’s orders.
This meant they would be subject to fines of $1,000 per violation or per day for entering the casino, officials said.
“We got a letter by email on May 5 that told us about the measures the governor had taken to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan, such as declaring the state of emergency, stay-at-home orders, and explanation of the governor’s authority,” Meshigaud said.
The letter told us we should limit our operations, otherwise our enrolled members living off reservation and customers could be cited and subject to civil and criminal penalties,” he continued.
“I did not want to put our tribal members or non-tribal members in jeopardy of being cited and wanted to consult with our tribal council,” Meshigaud added.
Michigan’s Lockdown Backlash
There have been widespread demonstrations by Michigan conservative groups against Gov. Whitmer’s stay-at-home order, with thousands of motorists blocking the streets around Lansing in mid-April.
On April 30, armed protesters rallied in Lansing’s state capitol building demanding an end to lockdown.
Meanwhile, Gov. Whitmer has clashed publicly with President Trump over the federal government’s handling of the distribution of PPE equipment.
A spokesperson from the governor’s office told Native News Online that state representatives had been in touch with the tribes and that a conference call between Gov. Whitmer, the state attorney general’s office, and public health officials had been scheduled for early this week.
“We respect the tribes’ sovereignty and seek to continue to work with them as partners in a concerted effort to protect human life from the threat posed by COVID-19,” the spokesperson said.
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Last Comments ( 10 )
So look around you, folks who were whining about your widdle itty bitty gaming urges, bratty, ignorance-driven paranoia and the supposedly evil governor. COVID deaths as high as they have ever been, infection rates through the roof and ICUs at capacity. Idiots. I suppose however there is one upside. There will be far fewer imbeciles, lunatics and selfish Republicans (same thing) around in the aftermath.
What a bunch of cry babies.. How many people do you know personally have died? I know a few, Young and old. You make me sick with your complaining.Why dont you all get together in a group and not wear a mask, Thank God the majority of people are staying home. Why dont you look at the real source of this stay at home order.........
This governor is ruining more lives than she claims she is saving. To threathen tribal members and Michiganders is really an overreach of power.
If they can guarantee people won’t come and spread the virus then I agree. If it brings in the virus no !!!!
I believed you when you posted on face book that you were opening Wed. May 6. Drove from close to Fond du Lac to Michigan to find a sign on door saying closed to May 16. Never saw a post that changed the date. I sure won't drive that far again for no reason. NOT a HAPPY Camper.
Governor Whitmer has done more to ruin lives and the state of Michigan in my lifetime. She is far worse than any other economic disaster in our history. She is on a one person power trip and does not care about anyone or anything that gets in her way.
Open Up Michigan! All of Whitmer's EO's are null and void as of April 30th. She did NOT go through our Legislation branch for approval.
We’re excited to have your casino and hotel reopening this week. We’re driving from Illinois so we’re following your decision. Thank you. We can’t let our country go down.
Ridiculous that a state government threatens a sovereign nation. Government has overstepped their bounds during this pandemic and should be held accountable. Unless the state is going to fund every penny of lost revenue to the nations then I believe the nations have every right to reopen immediately.
These are the threats she’s been making and it’s against our constitution and she would lose in court. This is such a power grab and I’m really disgusted with the whole thing.