2026-09-17
White Earth Nation held a Membership Meeting Tuesday evening at Shooting Star Casino to provide members with information regarding the federal Fee-to-Trust process currently being pursued for White Earth-owned property in Moorhead.
The primary focus of the meeting was to help membership better understand the federal application process, work completed to date and the steps that would still be required before the property could become eligible for gaming. Tribal leadership and project management presented information and answered questions directly from White Earth members.
One of the most important points discussed during the meeting was that submitting a Fee-to-Trust application does not constitute a decision or approval to construct a casino. The application begins a lengthy federal review process.
Under the process being pursued by White Earth, federal review includes environmental and socio-economic analysis, consultation with state and local governments, nearby Tribal Nations and the surrounding community, and review by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The process also requires a positive determination by the Secretary of the Interior and concurrence by the Governor of Minnesota before the property could become eligible for gaming.
White Earth has completed a number of studies and preliminary planning activities necessary to support the application process, including gaming feasibility studies, a socio-economic impact study, environmental and geotechnical work, preliminary site planning and civil engineering analysis. This work is being conducted to prepare for federal review and should not be interpreted as a final decision to develop the property.
No construction financing has been secured. Even if the Fee-to-Trust and gaming eligibility process is ultimately successful, White Earth would not be obligated to proceed with construction. The federal process preserves an opportunity for the Nation to consider future economic development of the property while additional review and decision-making continue.
White Earth leadership remains committed to keeping membership informed throughout this process and providing additional opportunities for members to hear updates, ask questions and participate in the discussion. Additional Membership Meetings will be held as the process reaches future milestones and additional information becomes available.
Miigwech to the White Earth members who attended Tuesday’s meeting, asked questions and participated in the discussion. White Earth will continue providing information to membership as the federal Fee-to-Trust process moves forward.