Mohegan tribe returns government funding

UNCASVILLE, Connecticut -- As reported by the Connecticut Day: "The Mohegan Tribe is giving back more than a half million dollars in federal funding to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, with the intention of helping tribes that have demonstrated great financial need, according to a release issued by the tribe.

"The tribe made the announcement Wednesday, stating it will send back $105,680, which it was awarded through a contract between the tribe and the BIA as part of the Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. The tribe also plans to send back another $518,440 that it has yet to receive from the same contract.

"Tribal Chairman Bruce 'Two Dogs' Bozsum asked that the funds be redistributed to tribes who do not receive more than 10 percent of their revenue from gaming or who have substantial gaming projects under development and who 'have demonstrated the greatest need and suffer from current or previous year shortfalls in funding,' according to the release.

"...The Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes own and operate the state's two casinos — Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino — and as a result have become financially prosperous.

"The casinos give the state of Connecticut a 25 percent take of their net slots win and, according to the state's Division of Special Revenue, both the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes have contributed over $1.9 billion to the state in slot revenues. The Mashantucket tribe has been contributing to the state since Foxwoods added slot machines to the casino in January 1993. The Mohegan Tribe has been contributing to the state since October 1996..."