gambling in alberta - Research Services - University of Lethbridge

Table 60 illustrates that the largest beneficiaries of the FNDF have been the 5 First Nations that
host casinos. However, there is considerable variability within this group of 5, with the Enoch
Cree First Nation (River Cree Casino and Resort) and the Tsuu T’ina First Nation (Grey Eagle
Casino) being the main beneficiaries (Figure 47). This is almost certainly due to the fact that the
River Cree Casino is just outside of Edmonton and the Grey Eagle Casino is just outside of
Calgary, whereas the other 3 casinos are located in rural areas.
$40,000,000
$35,000,000
$30,000,000
$25,000,000
$20,000,000
$15,000,000
$10,000,000
$5,000,000
$0
Figure 47: FNDF Allocations for the 5 First Nations that Host Casinos.
Enoch Cree
Nation
Tsuu T'ina
Nation
Cold Lake
First Nations
FNDF Revenue as a Proportion of Total Revenue
Alexis Nakota
Sioux Nation
Stoney
Nakoda
Nation
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
The primary source of First Nations revenue has traditionally been federal government
payments through Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). The funding formula calculates
individual First Nations funding levels based on populations. 94
In the case of the 5 communities that host casinos, these gambling monies represent a
significant portion of their overall revenue. For example, Enoch’s FNDF disbursement of $35
million in 2008/2009 was 303% more than its INAC’s budgetary allocation (Table 61). Similarly
Tsuu T’ina received more than $28 million, which was 142% more than its INAC budget.
Despite lower than expected returns, gambling revenues also contribute noticeably to the
Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation’s and the Cold Lake First Nations’ overall budget. The Stoney
94 Because there is no stipulation about what percentage of INAC funding bands should provide to off-reserve
residents, in most cases these monies are spent exclusively on reserves to the detriment of off-reserve members.
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