Moncton Forum

Natives bet on gambling

 Daniel McHardie
Telegraph-Journal

The Elsipogtog First Nation is hoping to reverse its chronically high unemployment and "Third World" living conditions through a sweeping economic development plan, calling for the construction of a racino in Moncton and a casino in Saint John.

Elsipogtog is a community of roughly 2,500 people nestled in Kent County yet Chief Susan Levi-Peters is looking beyond her traditional territory as she aspires to improve the living conditions of her people and the fortunes of the entire province.

The full details of her plan will become clear as early as next week and she is actively working with the federal, provincial and local governments trying to find financial partners to spur on her proposals.

"I'm a strong believer of peace and friendship. I'm a solid believer in the treaties. We survived over 500 years living side by side and today it has come down to it, that my people living in a Third World conditions," she said. "Instead of us going to a confrontation or something like that I'd prefer that we go into a partnership that develops the economy for all New Brunswick that deals with social, environment and economy."

Part of the plan is to build on New Brunswick's heritage of being the meeting place of the first European settlers and the First Nations in 1604. Levi-Peters envisions tourism venues established or enhanced focusing on various First Nations, as well as the Loyalists, Acadians and other groups that played a role in developing the province.

Those ideas will prove far less controversial than her plans to locate two gaming centres in New Brunswick.

The Elsipogtog chief is raising again the idea of building a racino complex on lands located just outside of Moncton.

The proposed site is marked by a Morning Sun sign facing the Trans-Canada Highway.

Further, Levi-Peters said she is examining the possibility of setting up a casino in Saint John, but unlike the racino concept she hasn't designated a location.

She said she is exploring the idea of a floating casino, as well as discussions are ongoing with a local hotel or trading property with the federal Coast Guard.

Undoubtedly there will be people who will oppose these gaming facilities, but the chief said but her vision is for First Nations communities to stop relying on other governments for cash.

"That is part of the plan because we want to be self-sufficient we don't want to rely on the government for the rest of our lives," she said.

"Because of our natural resources being depleted so much and instead of us going to confrontation in the woods"... maybe we can go in a different road and develop the economy in our communities, as well as New Brunswick. "

The gaming facilities and tourist attractions are among the revenue generating options the First Nation is exploring and that money will be used to start erasing the 500-unit backlog of housing that is needed on the Elsipogtog reserve and the 1,500-unit shortage on reserves across the province.

Elsipogtog isn't looking for any provincial funding for these projects, just a green light from the government.

"If they say today, 'We will say yes,' tomorrow I can start building my houses," she said.

Getting that approval could become a significant hurdle for the economic development plan considering the provincial government's ongoing opposition to casinos and racinos.

Finance Minister Victor Boudreau will release the government's gaming policy later this year and until that time he will not entertain questions on whether First Nations communities could unilaterally establish these venues on their own territory against the province's wishes.

"As it stands right now in the province of New Brunswick, casinos and racinos are not legal," Boudreau said.

Business New Brunswick Minister Greg Byrne said he is aware of work the First Nation has been doing with other partners.

Until he has a concrete proposal on his desk, Byrne said he can't speculate on how his department would react to any requests for financial help.

"I have to see a specific proposal before I could ascertain whether the department would be prepared to fund it or not," Byrne said.

"And again if we are talking about a proposal that deals with casinos and racinos, I think it would be premature before the government has a chance to address that issue with its policy."

While Levi-Peters spoke at great length about trying to sidestep any battles with provincial government over its gaming stance, it's clear the two sides could soon be on a collision course if the pending gaming policy slams the door on casinos or racinos.

The Assembly of First Nations' Chiefs in New Brunswick passed a resolution on Feb. 16, supporting the concept and established a First Nations Gaming Commission.

Levi-Peters said she believes as long as she got a licence from the newly formed commission, she could forge ahead with that element of her economic development roadmap.

The New Brunswick government isn't the only partner that Elsipogtog is approaching for backing.

The chief said she was encouraged by a letter she received from federal Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Prentice, who has pledged Ottawa's support for her projects. Prentice's correspondence committed Ottawa to helping in any programs that do not include gaming.

"Indian and Northern Affairs Canada's economic development program does not fund the establishment of gaming ventures, however, there are intergovernmental and other economic development activities associated with this initiative where we can be of assistance," Prentice wrote on Feb. 22.

Levi-Peters described her plan as a virtuous circle for the province.

Once the history-themed gaming facilities and tourist attractions are created, that will provide jobs for people in those specific areas but also for artisans, craftspeople and other workers in communities across the province.

With those new tourist sites, the chief said the environment will be cleaned up or preserved as the locations show off the area's heritage.

Inside New Brunswick's First Nations communities, the Elsipogtog proposal is winning universal backing, the chief said.

Instead of trying to direct all the profits to her specific council, Levi-Peters said all 15 First Nations will be represented on the gaming council board and revenues will be divided up among the communities and even the provincial government.

"We would also like some revenue sharing with the province because like I told the politicians in the provincial government we would like to help out New Brunswick," Levi-Peters said. "We don't want to be a liability we want to be an asset, if we can share the revenues in helping with the hospitals and roads, then I think we've done our jobs."

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