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Forced from the Land
The Native American Story
A site plan of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation’s proposed trust acquisition and gaming facility project for Shabbona is displayed outside of the Bureau of Indian Affairs meeting at the Kishwaukee College Conference Center on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016. The proposed site is the land on the southwest corner of Preserve and University Roads in Shabbona, next to Shabbona Lake State Park.
Prairie Band Potawatomie Nation Proposed Casino in Shabbona
When people hear about Native American history, many think only of history before permanent settlers arrived. Yet the story of the Prairie Band Potawatomie Nation is a current issue in DeKalb County, and more specifically, in Shabbona. The Department of Indian Affairs is conducting an Environmental Impact Study based on the Potawatomie Nation’s desire to build a 24-hour bingo hall in Shabbona. The decision to build a casino has led to a complicated legal battle.
The Nation bought 128 acres in 2006, in addition to filing a lawsuit reclaiming 1,280 acres of land that was given to Chief Shabbona in the 1829 Treaty of Prairie du Chien. The land was sold at public auction when local settlers claimed the property was forfeited because no one had lived there for decades.
Some residents believe the bingo hall will be good for the local economy. The Potawatomie Nation estimates that it will bring in 930,000 visitors, and add $40 million to the local payroll. The group is willing to pay DeKalb County 2.5% of its revenue (a projected $800,000), plus $250,000 to the village of Shabbona.
Those in opposition worry about the casino’s proximity to a state park, an increase in traffic, negative environmental impact, and higher crime.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!
Local museums present a variety of Native American stories. The Sandwich Historical Society has a large collection of Native American artifacts from throughout the county.
The Hinckley Historical Society has a diorama representing the Potawatomie who lived in the area before the settlers.
The Midwest Museum of Natural History has a temporary display featuring animals that were in the wild while the Potawatomie called DeKalb County home.
