War of Words Continues Over Plans For New Casino

Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 15:01

An official with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations says the Battlefords Tribal Council is speaking too soon when it says it plans to build a new Gold Eagle Casino in North Battleford.

FSIN Vice-Chief Morley Watson says any group that says it’s making plans to do something, without securing proper approval, is getting ahead of itself.

The Battlefords Tribal Council and the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs have both announced plans to build a new casino in the Battlefords.

BTC spokesman Wayne Semaganis says his group has approval from the city for a new building.

Semaganis says the tribal council also has a lease with the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, which includes clauses regarding a new casino.

He says his organization still has 10 years left on its agreement with SIGA, and until it’s up, he believes there shouldn’t be any discussion of anyone else getting a new casino.

Watson says he’s unaware of any such agreements.