FSIN Says Casino Profits Talks Going Very Well
Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 15:06
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Vice-Chief Morley Watson says he has had “very, very good discussions” with Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority Minister Deb Higgins about casino profits.
The FSIN is hoping to convince the provincial government to let First Nations keep all the revenues from the native-owned casinos in Saskatchewan.
Currently, the province keeps 37.5 per cent of those profits.
Watson won’t get into specifics about the negotiations, because of an agreement between the two sides not to publicize what is being said at the bargaining table.
However, he says it wouldn’t be wise for the NDP government to anger First Nations voters — noting Aboriginal citizens appeared to have made a difference in a couple of key ridings in the last provincial election.
Watson also doesn’t think First Nations leaders are making an unreasonable request — given the fact many of the people they represent live in Third World conditions.
Under a 25-year gaming agreement between the province and the FSIN, the two sides can renegotiate every five years.
The current negotiation period expires next month — although Watson says it could potentially be extended if both sides agree to do that.