May 1992 - Shooting Star Casino

Shooting Star Casino
Shooting Star Casino
Shooting Star Casino, Hotel and Event Center, located in Mahnomen,
Minnesota, is one of the top entertainment destinations in the region.
Owned and operated by the White Earth Nation, Shooting Star is home
to Las Vegas-style gaming, big name concerts, award-winning dining,
soothing spa treatments, shopping and luxurious accommodations, in
addition to nearly 30,000 square feet of event/meeting space.
Reservations: 800.453.STAR(7827) | Tickets: 800.313.SHOW(7469)
Business Office: 218.935.2711 | Fax: 218.935.2206
777 Casino Road | Mahnomen, MN 56557 | starcasino.com
WHITE EARTH HISTORY
The White Earth Nation was created on March 19, 1867, during a treaty signing in
Washington D.C. between the United States and the Mississippi Band of Chippewa
Indians. The treaty in part, stated:
“...and there shall be set apart, by selections to be made in their behalf and reported to
the Interior Department by the agent, one half section of land each, upon the Gull Lake
reservation, for Min-a-ge-shig [Fine Day] and Truman A. Warren, who shall be entitled
to patents for the same upon such selections being reported to the Department.”
Soon after President Andrew Johnson signed the treaty, Mississippi Band of Chippewa
Indians’ Chief White Cloud and Chief Fine Day were among the first to move to the
northwest Minnesota land known for its layer of white clay underneath the surface,
aptly named the White Earth Reservation.
150 years later, it is one of the largest Indian tribes in the United States, and the
largest of the seven Chippewa reservations in Minnesota, with about 23,000 enrolled
tribe members, 8,000 of whom live on the White Earth Reservation. The reservation’s
land area is also massive, covering more than 1,800 square miles (829,440 acres) along
the seam that separates the fertile farmland of the Red River Valley from the lakes
and woods of northern Minnesota. Located approximately 68 miles from Fargo,
North Dakota, and 225 miles from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, the reservation
encompasses three northwestern Minnesota counties – Mahnomen, Becker and
Clearwater. This includes 530 lakes, 300 miles of rivers and streams, 951 miles of
County, State, Federal and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) roads (not including logging
roads and trails), and 1,500 miles of snowmobile trails.
The White Earth Nation is governed by the five-member White Earth Tribal Council,
whose overriding mission is to preserve, promote and enhance the tribe’s quality of
life. With their leadership, the tribe has established well-known programs, services
and businesses throughout the years, such as the Shooting Star Casino, Hotel and
Event Center in Mahnomen, once one of Minnesota’s poorest cities. With nearly 1,000
slot machines, 386 hotel rooms and around 1,000 employees, Shooting Star is White
Earth’s most successful initiative to date, contributing approximately $7 million to $8
million per year to the tribe’s economy and to the northwest region of Minnesota.
White Earth History
History of
White EARTH NATION
SHOOTING STAR HISTORY
While traditionally known for the gentle rolling prairies of wild rice country (Manoonin
translated as wild rice in Ojibwe), the top attraction in Mahnomen, Minnesota, is that it’s
home to the Shooting Star Casino, Hotel and Event Center. Gaming operations began in
November 1991 in temporary facilities. A new facility was completed and operations
moved to the new facility for the grand opening in May 1992. With a $30 million,
145,300-square-foot expansion in 2001, Shooting Star has become one of the top gaming
and entertainment draws for the region, representing a significant revenue enterprise for
northwest Minnesota and for its tribal owners – the White Earth Nation.
In addition to a Las Vegas-style, 72,055-square-foot casino with nearly 1,000 slot machines,
12 blackjack tables, a 365-seat bingo hall and poker selections such as Seven-Card Stud and
Texas Hold ’Em, Shooting Star is home to a 15,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art concert
venue, nearly 30,000 square feet of event space, a 386-room hotel, the full-service
Sereniitee Spa, gift shop, Star Mart, and dining and drinking establishments, such as
2 ONE 8 and the Mustang Lounge.
Shooting Star is not only a gaming and entertainment destination, but it is also one of the
largest economic resources for the northwest Minnesota region. Its wages and benefits
total around $27 million a year and nearly 1,000 are employed. Nearby businesses have had
increases in sales, traffic and demand. In the nearly 20 years since Shooting Star’s grand
opening, Mahnomen County’s unemployment rate has dropped significantly and its labor
force has risen. Shooting Star History
History of Shooting Star
Casino, Hotel & Event Center
SHOOTING STAR FACTS - 2011
Shooting Star Casino, Hotel and Event Center, located in Mahnomen, Minnesota, is one of
the top entertainment destinations in the Midwest. Owned and operated by the White Earth
Nation, Shooting Star is home to gaming, live concerts, dining, shopping, spa treatments and
luxurious accommodations, in addition to nearly 30,000 square feet of event/meeting space.
Gaming Options
Shooting Star has all the best of Las Vegas-style gaming on its 72,055-square-foot casino floor.
Gaming options include nearly 1,000 slot machines, 12 blackjack tables, a 365-seat bingo hall,
and poker selections including Seven-Card Stud and Texas Hold ’Em.
Entertainment
Shooting Star features some of the biggest names in entertainment at its state-of-the-art
concert venue, the 15,000-square-foot Shooting Star Event Center.
Hotel
The on-site Shooting Star Hotel features 386 rooms, 24 suites, the full-service Sereniitee Spa,
a glass-enclosed indoor pool, hot tub and atrium.
Food/Beverage
In addition to full-service catering and cocktail service throughout the property, Shooting Star
is home to four on-site dining options, including the fine dining restaurant 2 ONE 8, casual fare
Whispering Winds, Delights Deli, and the Traditions Buffet, as well as the Mustang Lounge.
Location
Located at 777 Casino Road in Mahnomen, Minnesota, Shooting Star Casino, Hotel & Event
Center is 35 miles north of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota; 70 miles northeast of Fargo, North Dakota;
and 250 miles northwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Leadership
Edward Hanson, General Manager; ehanson@starcasino.com; 218-935-2811, Ext 7202
Bill Marsh, Marketing Director; wmarsh@starcasino.com; 218-935-2811, Ext 7430
Jim Foster, Public Relations Coordinator; jfoster@starcasino.com; 218-935-2811, Ext 7274
Shooting Star Facts
Shooting Star Facts – 2011
Shooting Star
LEADERSHIP – 2011
Shooting Star Casino, Hotel and Event Center,
located in Mahnomen, Minnesota, is one of the
top entertainment destinations in the region.
Owned and operated by the White Earth Nation,
Shooting Star is home to gaming, live concerts,
dining, shopping, spa treatments and luxurious
accommodations, in addition to nearly 30,000
square feet of event/meeting space.
SHOOTING STAR LEADERSHIP - 2011
Shooting Star Leadership – 2011
Edward Hanson | General Manager – Shooting Star
Hanson is a White Earth tribal member with extensive experience in Indian gaming, holding positions
such as Shift Manager, Human Resources Director and General Manager at Cass Lake, Minnesotabased Leech Lake Gaming, as well as General Manager of Seven Clans Casino in Red Lake, Minn. He
holds a degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Finance from Bemidji State University in
Bemidji, Minn.
BILL Marsh | Marketing Director – Shooting Star
Marsh is a member of Michigan’s Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians and has more than 10 years of
marketing experience in Indian gaming. He has been responsible for all facets of casino marketing,
including strategy development, branding, advertising, media, promotions, player tracking, database
(mining and analysis), direct mail, entertainment and in-house graphics. Bill has a master’s degree in
Marketing and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Lake Superior State University in
Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
James “Jim” Foster | Public Relations Coordinator – Shooting Star
Foster graduated in 1962 from Fosston High School in Fosston, Minnesota, before serving in the
U.S. Army from 1962-1965, where he was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, and in Germany. After
attending junior college, he accepted a position with the state of Minnesota as an Assistant Program
Manager for labor programs covering the northern portion of the state. He then was appointed as
Program Director for the White Earth Tribal Council and later became the tribe’s Executive Director.
In addition, he was the first coordinator during the construction of Shooting Star Casino and hired
staff to prepare for the casino’s opening. He was soon after named Shooting Star’s Public Relations
(PR) Coordinator until he had to undergo a lung transplant. After a successful operation, Foster
resumed his position in the PR department. He is proud to have served more than 20 years with
the White Earth Nation and its Shooting Star Casino, Hotel and Event Center.
LEADERSHIP (CONT)
Dr. Erma J. Vizenor | Chairwoman – White Earth Nation
Dr. Vizenor was elected as the Chairwoman of the White Earth Reservation in 2004 and is the first
woman to lead the largest tribe in Minnesota. As Chairwoman, she represents all districts both on
and off the White Earth Reservation. She previously served as White Earth’s Secretary/Treasurer.
Dr. Vizenor has worked her entire career in education on the White Earth Reservation. She holds
an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education; a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling;
and a specialist degree in Education Administration from Minnesota State University-Moorhead. A
Bush Leadership Fellowship also gave her the opportunity to earn a master’s degree in Community
Decision-Making and Lifelong Learning and a doctoral degree in Administration, Planning, and Social
Policy from Harvard University. Dr. Vizenor is committed to building a strong infrastructure within the
White Earth Reservation, one that is necessary in order to exercise sovereignty, self-governance, and
service to the tribal citizens.
Robert Durant | Secretary/Treasurer – White Earth Nation
Durant was born in Mahnomen, Minnesota, and has made his home in various parts of the
reservation prior to settling back in Mahnomen. He attended high school in Mahnomen, Waubun
and North High School in Minneapolis, and obtained higher education from Bemidji State University
in Bemidji, Minn., Detroit Lakes Vocational School in Detroit Lakes, Minn., and White Earth Tribal
and Community College in Mahnomen, Minn. Durant is a veteran of the U.S. Army and National
Guard, and remains active in the Veterans’ Association and Honor Guard. Prior to being elected
White Earth’s Secretary/Treasurer, Durant was a financial worker for Clay County Social Services
from 1987-1991, followed by self-employment from 1991-2001 as owner-operator of a tree service
and as a construction contractor. In 2001, he was hired as White Earth’s Tribal Employments Rights
Ordinance (TERO) Director, before spending nine years as the Executive Director for the White Earth
Housing Authority. Having been elected to the tribal council in June 2010, Durant performs duties
including directing the finances for the White Earth Tribal Council and representing tribal
membership reservation-wide. One of Durant’s top priorities is to work toward tribal nations
being recognized and treated as sovereign nations.
Irene “Rene” Auginaush | District 1 Representative – White Earth Nation
Auginaush was born in White Earth, Minnesota, and was raised in the tribal community of Rice
Lake. She graduated in 1970 from Bagley High School in Bagley, Minn., and then attended Bemidji
State University in Bemidji, Minn. Auginaush represents the villages of Rice Lake, Pine Bend and the
outlying areas. She was appointed District I Representative in June 1996 and was elected to office in
a special election by a large margin in March 1997. The people of District I reaffirmed their trust and
confidence in her ability to meet their needs by reelecting her to four-year terms in June 1998, 2002,
2006 and again in 2010.
Terrence “Terry” Tibbetts Sr. | District II Representative – White Earth Nation
Tibbetts was born in White Earth, Minnesota, and is a traditional lifelong resident of the White Earth
Reservation. He represents the villages of Naytahwaush, Mahnomen and Waubun, as well as the
residents of the outlying areas. He was first elected as District II Representative in 2006 and was
then reelected in 2010. He attended school in Naytahwaush, Mahnomen and in Detroit Lakes, Minn.
His employment history includes an impressive 32 years of service for White Earth Public Works. He
is also active in Powwow committees, the Naytahwaush Community Charter School, and many other
activities that support traditional teachings.
Kenneth “Gus” Bevins | District III Representative – White Earth Nation
Bevins was born in White Earth, Minnesota, and has lived on the White Earth Reservation most
of his life. Bevins represents the villages of White Earth, Pine Point and Elbow Lake, and tribal
membership in the towns of Callaway and Ogema and the outlying areas. He attended school at St.
Benedict’s Mission, in White Earth, Minn., then in St. Paul, Minn., and later, Waubun High School in
Waubun, Minn. Bevins graduated from Northwest Technical College in Detroit Lakes, Minn., and was
employed by Bob’s Machine and Manufacturing and the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe’s Construction
Company before he held the position of Public Works Director of the White Earth Reservation for 21
years. He is currently the fire chief for the White Earth Fire Department and has served in this
position for 29 years. Most recently, he worked for Vareberg Well Drilling and Gordon Construction,
until being elected District III Representative in June 2000 and reelected in 2004 and 2008.
Shooting Star Leadership – 2011
LEADERSHIP (CONT)