The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa want to renegotiate casino revenue sharing with the City of Duluth.
Fon-du-Luth casino and the city are part of a unique compact that allowed the casino's creation in city limits.
But as Joel Runck explains, tribal leaders feel they're being short-changed.

Under an existing agreement between Duluth and the Fon-du-Lac tribe, the city receives part of the casino's revenue.
Last year, the band says the casino shelled-out approximately $6.4 million to the city.

Karen Diver, Fon Du Lac Reservation chairwoman, says that amounted to about one-third of the casino's profits.
As a result, Diver said she wants to re-negotiate the compact's terms with city leaders.

"We'd like to talk to the city how to make it a win-win so that we're both investing in the success of that property," Diver said.

Fon du Lac says the money-sharing agreement is out of compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Under the rule, band officials say the city is not earning its share of the deal.

"We have about a $9 million payroll in the City of Duluth and for a business that's operating in Duluth, I'm not sure many businesses would tolerate that level of taxation," said Diver.

Duluth Mayor, Don Ness could not be reached for comment today.
However, in an earlier interview Ness said he wanted to keep the agreement they way it is now.

"It's our intent that the agreement will continue in its present form," said Ness. " I think it's an agreement that both parties benefit from, certainly the Fond du Lac tribe benefits from being in an urban area."

But tribal leaders say it's time for a change.

"I think that the city has benefited from it as well but I would like them to make the same commitment," said Diver.

Fon-Du-Lac says they hope to begin negotiation talks with the city early next year.