Thursday, August 17, 2006

As reported by the Winnipeg Sun: "South Beach Casino's popularity and
success wouldn't be threatened if a provincial smoking ban were extended to
First Nations, the chairman of the native-run casino says. "The casino on
Highway 59 would continue to thrive if puffers were forced to butt out
because fewer than 10% of its total patrons are smokers, said Furlon Barker,
head of South Beach's governing board. ".However, the casino will do what is
necessary to protect its smoker-friendly status, Barker said. "Casino
officials are waiting on the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and province to act
on a judge's decision Monday to strike down the section that exempts First
Nations from provincial smoking legislation. ".South Beach is on Brokenhead
Ojibway Nation land in Scanterbury, about 60 km north of Winnipeg. "It is
operated by an ownership group of seven First Nations and is one of two
native-run casinos in Manitoba."