New Canadian Dakota Dunes Casino Opens
WHITECAP DAKOTA FIRST NATION, Saskatchewan -- As reported by the Star Phoenix: "Behind the black curtain, servers in crisp green uniforms held up their trays and notepads, and dealers waited at
their posts behind the gaming tables with nervous smiles, waiting to greet the first customers at the Dakota Dunes Casino.
"With the pounding of a drum, the singing of the Lightning Spirit musicians and the swish of grass dancers' elaborate costumes, staff dropped the curtain, and spectators milled in to catch their first glance of the province's newest and largest casino.
"As dignitaries snipped through the red ribbon to mark Dakota Dunes' official opening Thursday evening, a line of invited guests snaked down a red carpet, past a jazz duo and twirling dancers, and stretched far down the pavement outside the new $61-million facility.
"...The 84,000-square-foot casino houses 620 slot machines, table games, a restaurant and buffet, deli, bar and the 7,000-square-foot multipurpose room, which can hold up to 800 people for events such as conferences and concerts.
"There's about 420 jobs at the casino, 410 of which are filled. Gary Daniels, general manager of Dakota Dunes, said about 77 per cent of the staff are First Nations people, which he hopes to increase to the SIGA mandate of hiring 80 per cent First Nations workers..."