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Date: December 6, 2002

MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS WELCOMES MICHIGAN COMPACT RESOLUTION

Gun Lake Casino Provides 4,300 Jobs, Local and State Revenue Sharing, Local Supplier Purchases, Economic Development and Proven Recreational Attraction

STRONG LOCAL SUPPORT FOR GUN LAKE CASINO BEGINNING WITH THE 6,000 STRONG FRIENDS OF GUN LAKE INDIANS (FOGLI)

DORR, Mich., December 6, 2002 -- Editors Note: The following statement may be attributed to Mr. D. K. Sprague, Tribal Chairman, Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, commonly known as the Gun Lake Tribe:

"The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians welcomes and appreciates the House and Senate Resolutions supporting the Gun Lake Casino Compact introduced by Rep. Larry DeVuyst (R-Alma) and Sen. Joanne Emmons (R-Big Rapids).

"The Gun Lake Casino will bring more than 4,300 badly needed jobs, local supplier purchases, local and state revenue sharing, economic development and a proven recreational attraction to this part of the state.

"Local and state budget crunches make the revenue sharing even more important now to local area schools, fire, police and local governments.

"This potential legislative action will finally end the obviously unfair and double standard which has been applied to the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians.

"We are the only federally-recognized American Indian Tribe in Michigan without a gaming compact. This action is more than a matter of social justice. It will literally put food in the mouths of people in Allegan and Barry counties, and make life better for thousands of families in Southwestern Michigan.

"The Gun Lake Casino has strong local support starting originally with the 6,000 member grassroots organization, Friends of Gun Lake Indians (FOGLI) and Gun Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Allegan, the Kalamazoo Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the Plainwell Chamber of Commerce, the Wayland Chamber of Commerce, Dorr Business Association, Michigan Building and Trades Council, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the International Brotherhood of Operating Engineers, the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters, Michigan Distributors and Vendors, the Deputy Sheriff's Association of Michigan, the Allegan Area Chamber of Commerce, the Allegan Board of Commissioners (six of nine members), the Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce and the Wayland Township Board.