FSIN CASINOS TO START UP IN SASKATCHEWAN

Released on November 24, 1995

Clay Serby, minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming
Authority, and Chief Blaine Favel, of the Federation of Saskatchewan
Indian Nations (FSIN), today announced an operating agreement has been
signed by the province and the FSIN, so that Indian-run casinos can
begin operations.

"I am pleased the government and the FSIN were able to reach an
agreement on these operational issues. Indian-run casinos can now
begin assisting First Nations people in reaching their economic goals,"
Serby said. "The economic benefits resulting from the start-up of the
casinos will be quickly felt -- everything from jobs to construction
activity."

"This agreement marks the beginning of the end of poverty and economic
disparity for First Nations people," Chief Favel said.

Negotiations on the operating agreement have been under way since
February, 1995, when an agreement in principle was reached between the
government and the FSIN on casino development and operation. The
agreement provided the FSIN with the opportunity to develop up to four
community-scaled, Indian-run casinos, subject to market studies and
community approval. The casinos are limited to a total number of 500
slot machines, equal to the number in the Regina casino which is
expected to open early in the new year.

FSIN casinos can now start up in the communities of Yorkton, Prince
Albert, North Battleford and at the White Bear reserve near Carlyle as
soon as the FSIN is prepared to begin operations, and terms and
conditions have been finalized.

The operating agreement addresses the issues of management of slot
machines and table games in the community-sized casinos. The agreement
does not address the issue of related gaming activities on reserves.

"Although we had initially hoped that both agreements could be
concluded at the same time, negotiations on the casino issue are
complete, while more consultation is necessary at the band level on the
related gaming issues," Serby said. "By separating the related gaming
issues from the casinos, we will see the start-up of economic activity
from casinos several months sooner than would otherwise be the case,
while still ensuring further careful thought and discussion can be
given to the related gaming issues."

Now that the operating agreement has been signed, draft terms and
conditions for the FSIN casinos will be reviewed immediately by the
FSIN and the Liquor and Gaming Authority. Once the document has been
reviewed, the Authority will adopt the terms and conditions, and the
casinos can begin operations immediately. Negotiations and
consultation on the regulation of related gaming activities on reserves
will continue over the next six months.

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For more information, contact:

Lisa Thomson Calvin Lawrence
Liquor and Gaming Authority SIGA / FSIN
Regina Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 787-1721 Phone: (306) 477-4597