NATIVE
AMERICAN PROJECTS
Mohawk/Akwesasne
Tribes
On behalf of Hercules, LLC of California, Capital Consultants was asked
to arrange financing for the placement of 100 slots for the Mohawk's
St Regis casino and to arrange financing for the opening of an Akwesasne
Class-2 casino in upstate New York. Like many tribes, the Mohawk's were
interested in attracting financing for a hotel (i.e., 200 rooms), along
with funds for utility hookups for motor homes.
The
Tribes of North Carolina
Capital Consultants was asked to assist the collective tribes
of North Carolina to find a development partner to build a hotel, strip
mall/auto repair complex, and, ultimately, provide financing for an
amphitheater and souvenir shop to highlight North Carolina Native American
culture and history. Seen as an economic development project by the
entire State, this Native American proposal involved all of state's
Indian tribes in a cooperative effort with the State's Governor and
State's Legislature to create jobs for tribal members living along interstate
95 in North Carolina. The effort was intended to provide an alternative
to "South of the Border;" South Carolina's tribute to Mexico
located just across the state-line.
Paiute
Tribe of Las Vegas, Nevada
Under contract with Victor Hugo and the American Indian Association,
Capital Consultants was asked to attract financing to build a casino
and destination resort complex for the Paiute Tribe of Las Vegas, featuring
a hotel, small casino, retail shopping, spa and two golf courses just
outside Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition, Capital Consultants was asked
to attract financing for the creation of a tobacco manufacturing facility
on tribal lands within the city's designated Enterprise Zone in downtown
Las Vegas.
Lac
Vieux Desert Casino Resort, MI
In June of 1999, Capital Consultants was asked to assist the Lac Vieux
Desert Casino Resort in Upper Peninsula Michigan to identify the banking
portion of what was to be the first Indian Internet bingo site (i.e.,
online at www.bingo-us.com).
Lac
Courte Oreielles Ojibwa Tribe, WI
Capital Consultants provided the Lac Courte Oreielles Ojibwa Tribe in
Wisconsin with a financing alternative to improve energy conservation
efforts on the reservation at the Lac Courte Oreielles Ojibwa Tribal
College.
Omaha
Tribe of Nebraska
In 1998, Capital Consultants assisted the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and
its law firm, Monteau Peebles, in compiling a sales and marketing strategy
for the export of the Omaha brand of cigarettes to China. The production
and sale of cigarettes on-and-off Indian reservations by the Omaha Tribe
was the first of its kind. Although somewhat controversial, one must
keep in mind that tobacco is considered sacred among Native Americans.
It was the American Indian who first introduced tobacco to Christopher
Columbus as well as the early Pilgrims more than 500 years ago, and
tobacco continues to be used by Native Americans today in religious
practices and ceremonies. The general consensus among Native Americans
is that it is the White Man who is responsible for contaminating tobacco
with additives and chemicals in order to make cigarettes more addictive
and more profitable. As a result of the recent tobacco settlement and
ever-increasing tobacco prices, more and more tribes are considering
making their own tobacco products due to their inability to access and
afford the White Man's tobacco.
Chehalis
Tribe of Washington State
Following the lead of the Omaha Tribe, the Chehalis Tribe asked CC to
do an extensive business plan so that they too might produce tobacco
products for sale and use on the Chehalis Reservation as well as export
their products for distribution to other Indian reservations. In addition,
the Chehalis Tribe asked CC to obtain financing to build a new smoke
shop, gas station and convenience store on the reservation near its
highly successful casino.