Friends of the Gun Lake Indians (FOGLI)

Friends of the Gun Lake Indians (FOGLI) is a grassroots organization that was founded in 2001 by a few people in the Wayland area who felt that the Gun Lake Tribe wasn’t getting a fair shake. In November 2000 the Tribe attempted to establish dialogue with the local community regarding its plans for a casino. The Tribe hosted a meeting at the Wayland High School gymnasium. Sadly, the Tribe was met with hostility and racial insults by local casino protesters who formed Michigan Gambling Opposition (MichGO). The founding members of FOGLI agreed that something had to be done.

Out of desire to be good neighbors and to promote fair treatment for the Tribe, Judy Bott and Marcia Halloran contacted the Tribe to express support for the proposed casino. The result was the formation of FOGLI with the help of other local residents, including Kathy Bowerman, Elise DeYoung, Jerry Luyk, Bob Wagner, and Terry Whitley.

FOGLI has grown to over 10,000 members who support fairness for Tribe and thousands of good-paying jobs and economic growth for the community. FOGLI has helped educate lawmakers and the media about the benefits Indian gaming has provided to many other communities throughout Michigan .

From 1993 through February 2008 Indian casinos shared over $186 million with local governments and over $241 million with the state government. Indian gaming has created over 25,000 total jobs in Michigan with a total annual payroll of over $680 million.

FOGLI has hosted rallies that have drawn 3,000 people, and participated in a two-day career interest fair in 2005 that drew over 4,000 people.

As proven by unbiased survey research polls, a solid majority of West Michigan residents support the Gun Lake Casino and FOGLI is reflective of that support.

Yet to this day, of the state’s twelve federally recognized tribes, the Gun Lake Tribe is the only one without a signed and legislatively approved Class III gaming compact.

Please go to www.fogli.org to become a FOGLI member. You will receive current casino information via e-mail and a periodic newsletter. Thank you.

YES TRIBE! YES JOBS! YES CASINO!