THE southern Manitoba Long Plain First Nation voted 84 per cent in support of locating an aboriginal casino next to Portage la Prairie.
"This clears the way for Long Plain to go forward with our casino proposal," Chief Dennis Meeches said Thursday evening. "We had overwhelming support. One hundred seventy nine voted 'Yes.' Thirty-three voted 'No' and two were spoiled ballots," the chief said.
The last time the Ojibway community 15 kilometres west of Portage voted for a casino the results were the same, he said.
The chief said the vote was a crucial step in the community's plan to prepare a bid on the casino.
A vote to reject an aboriginal casino in Brandon last January opened the door to the Portage-area bid.
Earlier Thursday, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs held its cards close to its chest when it came to choosing the location for a new First Nation casino.
"The AMC's position is and has always been since Brandon voted (against a First Nation casino) to work with the province of Manitoba on an appropriate site-selection process," said Ian Cramer, the AMC's senior business adviser.
Meeches said the province is the next stop for Long Plain's bid.
The community will prepare a proposal to persuade the province Long Plain is the best location for an aboriginal-run casino.
A number of First Nations have verbally expressed an interest in building a new casino.
The final word rests with the province.
alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca
PREVIOUS
