Jennifer Bowman

Battle Creek Enquirer

Revenue from FireKeepers Casino Hotel will be used for projects related to promoting Native American history, including doing away with potentially offensive mascots, after changes were made to the tribe's gaming compact with the state.

The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi announced the amendments Tuesday, unveiling the newly created Michigan Native American Heritage Fund. Also included in the changes is allowing money from the tribe's Emmett Township casino to go to local governments for costs they haven't yet incurred. Previously, area municipalities could only receive reimbursements for completed projects.

Tribe gives record payment to area schools, government

Beginning this year, up to $500,000 of the tribe's revenue-sharing payments to the Michigan Strategic Fund will be allocated annually to the Michigan Native American Heritage Fund. It will be managed by a board of state and tribal representatives that will give money to local governments, schools and colleges for projects "that promote positive relationships with an understanding of the history and role of Michigan's Indian tribes and Native Americans in the state," the tribe's news release said.

Eligible projects include costs associated with changing mascots that may be considered offensive to Native Americans "with more culturally appropriate representations or new mascots/logos."

Story continues below

Gov. Rick Snyder said in a statement the compact's changes will allow more partnerships and "promote the rich history and contributions of the first Michiganders and our mutual citizens."

Tribal Chairman Jamie Stuck said the compact's amendment, made possible because of the tribe's strong relationship with the state, is the first of its kind among federally recognized tribes in Michigan. The funding will allow for changes in schools with budgets that can't cover new history books, equipment and facilities to improve Native American education and imagery, he said.

Stuck said the new fund could help with costs associated with removing controversial mascots at schools around the state. Last month, the Belding Area Schools Board of Education voted to no longer have its Redskins mascot. There also have been protests against Paw Paw High School, which also has a Redskins mascot.

"Hopefully something like this would help educate people," he said, "and make them aware of our history, our culture, our customs. And make them understand it might not seem negative to you, but once you learn about our history and past you can kind of see how it can bring up some bad feelings of how we've been treated."

Using casino revenue, these groups are receiving grants

Compact changes also allow the FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board more flexibility in its payments. The board, comprised of six representatives from around the county, is responsible for distributing money for reimbursements, administrative costs and grants. It shot down a 2014 request from Emmett Township, which sought more than $1 million in advance to fix a sewer line that connected to FireKeepers.

This is how the casino money will be distributed

Now, local governments will be able to receive funding to pay for infrastructure improvements needed because of "increased demands" associated with FireKeepers operations," the release said. They'll also be eligible for "multi-year funding commitments," avoiding big hits to funding for school districts that rely upon their large amounts of casino revenue every year.

The Athens Township-based NHBP owns FireKeepers, built in 2009 with the addition of a hotel in 2012. Under its state compact, the tribe distributes 2 percent of its annual slot machine revenue to the Local Revenue Sharing Board, meant to reimburse lost tax revenue for area entities because the casino and the NHBP's Pine Creek Reservation are on sovereign tribal land and tax-exempt.

The funding is distributed through a tiered system, with some of it going toward administrative costs and reimbursement requests. Much of the remainder is given out through a grant process.

Last year, the tribe gave nearly $5.3 million to the Local Revenue Sharing Board and more than $16 million to the state. In the county, Harper Creek Community Schools has received the largest sum. Other recipients include Battle Creek's other area school districts; local government authorities such as Emmett Township, Calhoun County and the city of Battle Creek; and local organizations such as Willard Library.

Contact Jennifer Bowman at 269-966-0589 or jbowman@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow her on Twitter: @jenn_bowman. Listen to the podcast she co-hosts, The Jump Page, at soundcloud.com/enquirerpodcasting.