To the editor of the Muskegon Chronicle and Grand Rapids Press:

My name is Scott Alan Wyzlic, a citizen of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, and a member of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, Inc. Growing concerns regarding casinos on Indian land have prompted me to write to your respective papers regarding the proposed alliance between Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, Inc. and the Archimedes Group LLC of Muskegon. While GRBOI, Inc. has filed a petition with the Bureau of Indian Affairs on behalf of the membership, they do not represent the GRBOI tribe post re-affirmation. Upon recognition from the federal government the citizens of GRBOI will nominate and elect, through democratic process, a governing body of officials who will then be able to enter into agreements regarding economic development on behalf of our tribe, and enrolled citizens.

Dave Alexander, Chronicle Business Editor, has quoted an Archimedes official as saying “it should be assumed the agreement concerns the development of an Indian casino”. This is bothersome because Grand River has yet to gain re-affirmation under the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act [Wheeler-Howard], and is therefore prohibited by state and federal laws from entering into any gaming activity so any agreements regarding gaming become null and void. In an article from the Grand Rapids Press on June 20, 2000 titled “Tribe May Consider Michigan Casino”, Ron Yob is quoted as saying “until the tribe gets federal recognition, it doesn't have the official status to consider a casino”.

The issue of entering into an agreement between a Michigan non-profit organization and the Archimedes Group, which has not been presented to the membership of the GRBOI, Inc., will not be binding between the future GRBOI tribe which will be a federally recognized tribal entity with inherent rights of sovereignty. Even if such an agreement contains a proviso waiving sovereign immunity regarding any casino deal such an instance would be illegal considering that this not for profit organization cannot bind a tribal government in its business ventures unless said government agrees to be bound in said venture. Because the federally recognized Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians Tribal Government does not currently exist and cannot therefore operate a casino under the 1987 Indian gaming regulatory act, there is no guarantee that any agreements made between Ron Yob and Archimedes will be honored by the federally recognized tribal entity.

My personal convictions move me to oppose any casino plans unless full disclosure is provided to the citizens of the tribe, and they are given the right to vote for or against the deal after the date of federal re-affirmation. I am not necessarily opposed to a future casino deal for the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, but believe the inclusion of the tribal citizens in the decision process for any future casino is vital.