Debate over North Dakota casino results in another insult toward Native Americans — CDC Gaming

There’s been an unfortunate theme during this legislative session wherein lawmakers cast insults at North Dakota’s indigenous peoples.

In February, during a debate over legislation that would give state authorization to a resort and casino project near Grand Forks that’s being pursued by the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Sen. Diane Larson of Bismarck suggested that the tribes might have the backing of organized crime.

“And as an aside, I did ask one of the proponents where the tribe is going to get the money to build all of this. I never did get an answer for where the money is coming from,” Larson said during a floor speech.