Citizen Potawatomi Nation Grand Casino Hotel Resort

PROPERTY REVIEW
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Grand Casino Hotel Resort - Shawnee, OK
T
he Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) has created two
premiere entertainment destinations in Grand Casino
Hotel Resort and Firelake Casino, both based in Shawnee,
Oklahoma. They have also expanded into a variety of economic
development ventures and infrastructure initiatives that have
employed thousands and directly and positively impacted the
health and well being of tribal members. With just over 30,000
tribal citizens and more than 2,000 employees, CPN operates
a variety of tribal enterprises including First National Bank
(the largest tribally owned national bank in the U.S.), FireLake
Discount Foods and the Community Development Corporation.
CPN is one of thirty-nine federally recognized Native
American tribes with headquarters in the state of Oklahoma,
and is a thriving nation that is actively working to retain its
culture while trailblazing at the forefront of Native American
business.
The Citizen Potawatomi are Algonquian-speaking people
who originally occupied the Great Lakes region of the United
States. The Potawatomi were part of the Three Fires
Council made up of the Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Odawa,
collectively known as Anishnabek peoples. By the end of the
18th century, tribal villages were being displaced by white
settlements, ultimately ushering in the American treaty era.
Through a series of treaties, beginning in 1789, their tribal estate
equating to more than eighty-nine million acres was gradually
reduced in size. The federal government continued to reduce
Potawatomi land holding by removing them to smaller reserves
in Iowa, Missouri, and finally Kansas in 1846. In 1861, the
Potawatomi in Kansas were officially divided by way of treaty.
The treaty required its signers to surrender their tribal
membership and adopt U.S. citizenship, in-turn creating the
foundation for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. It was a
decision that forever shaped the culture and lives of our
people and subsequently led to their eventual migration to
Indian Territory in present day Oklahoma.
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September 2013
The Grand Casino Resort is one of Oklahoma's largest,
most advanced gaming/entertainment destinations with twolevels of first-class gaming and entertainment featuring three
restaurants. Designed as a three-phase building project, phase
one included the casino, which opened in 2006. Phase two was
recently completed, marking the opening of the new 262room hotel to the general public. The hotel is a 14-story
tower, adding a total of 144,000 sq. ft. to the property. Frank
Lloyd Wright, the innovative American architect known for
what he described as organic architecture, was a strong
inspiration and influence for the designs of the hotel. Phase three
will include the creation of a 100,000 sq. ft. FireLake Grand
Coliseum, a world-class venue for events and concerts.
“We are excited to open this phase of the property and look
forward to guests coming and staying with us,” said Steve
Degraffenreid, General Manager, Grand Casino Hotel and
Resort. “Our guests are going to enjoy quality entertainment
The Frank Lloyd Wright inspired lobby entrance of the Grand Casino Hotel
welcomes guests.
and VIP treatment every second they
stay with us. We are also looking forward
to adding our other resort and hotel
amenities in the fall.”
The Grand Hotel currently offers a
spa, 24-hour fitness center, and state of
the art meeting facilities accessible
directly from the Grand Casino and
Event Center. Other amenities include
a business center, in-room dining, and
complimentary high-speed Internet
access available wired or wirelessly. The
tribe has taken advantage of many new
technologies, including incorporating
an iPad in each of the luxurious rooms.
Guests can use it for everything from
ordering food, requesting their car from
valet, checking player club points, and
even wagering on a select number of
games, all at their fingertips. In room
gaming is available on the iPad through
iSino from Acres 4.0, which combines
Beautiful fire light sculptures are featured on the
casino floor.
video game and social gaming technology
with traditional slot technology to create
a new type of gaming experience. The
device offers games similar to Pac-Man or
Bejeweled that let players play arcade
style games while gambling at the same
time. Acres 4.0 also anticipates adding
tournament games and team games in
the near future.
“This device opens up new ways for
gamers to experience slot machines and
also opens gaming up to new environments,” said James Acres, President, Acres
4.0. “You don’t have to sit at a slot machine
on a gaming floor to enjoy gaming. iSino
will allow properties to create more
relaxed and private gaming areas.”
“When we learned about iSino and
James Acres we knew that we needed to
work with them if we were interested in
having a future in gaming,” said Steve
Degraffenreid, General Manager, Grand
September 2013
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PROPERTY REVIEW
Casino Hotel and Resort. “This product is innovative in function and accessibility. Nowhere else in the
United States offers the social gaming available on
these devices or the ability to enjoy the game in the
comfort of your hotel room.”
The Grand Casino currently offers poker, blackjack, slots, craps, spinette and keno. Amenities expected
to open in fall 2013 include two new restaurants, an
outdoor pool, which will be Oklahoma’s first pool
nightclub, and lounge and a new 2,500-seat event center.
“Once we have all of our amenities open, people won’t need to
leave our property to experience a fun-filled getaway,” added
Degraffenreid. “This is a tourism destination for Oklahoma and
the entertainment experience that we provide won’t be matched
anywhere else.”
CPN is proud to have generated more than 100 new jobs
with the opening of the new hotel tower. The tribe’s gaming
and economic development operations had a $522 million
economic impact in the State of Oklahoma for 2012. This
impact includes $68 million in wages and benefits, directly
supporting more than 2,000 jobs, and purchases contributing
to a $377 million impact on the local economy. CPN is
also the largest employer in Pottawatomie County by more
than three times.
“There is an old adage that ‘a rising tide raises all ships.’ The
The 14-story tower includes 262 spacious and tastefully appointed rooms.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation plays a major role in the success
of Pottawatomie County and the State of Oklahoma,” said John
Barrett, Chairman, Citizen Potawatomi Nation. “We are a
lasting partner of the state and community. Our success is good
for both our tribe and for our Oklahoma neighbors.”
Citizen Potawatomi Nation exercises governmental jurisdiction in portions of Pottawatomie, Cleveland and Oklahoma
Counties. “We have a history of creating good jobs in
Pottawatomie County,” added Barrett. “These jobs pay well and
we offer excellent benefits. Those jobs allow people to live, work
and spend money in Shawnee and other communities nearby.”
Citizen Potawatomi Nation is also responsible for a variety
of services including healthcare, elderly programs, social
services, education and housing. In 2012 CPN health facilities
had more than 20,000 physician visits, 4,600 dental
visits, served 14,000 meals to the elderly, assisted 3,500
families through Indian Child Welfare, provided 3,800
scholarships and assisted with housing costs for more
than 1,500 people.
“Although we are not and cannot be all things to all
people, our services to do help take care of our tribal
members and fellow Oklahomans when assistance is
needed,” added Barrett. “Not only does that help
create a more healthy and vibrant community, our
services ease the burden on the State of Oklahoma.”
Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s business portfolio
includes grocery and travel, dining, shopping and
entertainment and banking. Firelake Discount Foods
is the largest tribally owned grocery store in the United
States. First National Bank and Trust Company has
branches at Citizen Potawatomi Nation Tribal
Headquarters, Shawnee, Holdenville, two in Lawton,
Granite and Mangum, Oklahoma. In addition to its two
casinos and hotel, Citizen Potawatomi Nation also
Upgraded finishes focused on guest comfort are featured throughout the hotel.
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September 2013
entertainment venues, retail shops, fuel and convenience stores,
golf courses, museums and a hotel.
CPN contributed more than $1.7 million to local non-profits
in Pottawatomie County, provided $203,495 to Oklahoma
schools and made $21.3 million in tax payments and payments
in lieu of taxes in 2012. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation dedicates resources through federal funding, grants and tribal revenue to provide these and other services to the tribal and community citizens who need them most.
Through a diverse network of programs and services, CPN
aims to take first class care of and create opportunities for their
tribal members. Some of these remarkable facilities and programs include: Citizen Potawatomi Nation Clinics; Citizen
Potawatomi Nation Child Development Center; House of
Hope, which seeks to eliminate family violence by providing
victims and the community with appropriate, effective services
and programs; Citizen Potawatomi Nation Family Violence
Program; Senior Support Network Program, which addresses
health care needs through community oriented primary care
services; the Wellness Center, a 21,500 sq. ft. facility that
includes an exercise facility, walking track and the Diabetic Initiative Program; and a Business Development Program, which
can assist tribal members lacking financial resources and readiness with business development and planning, managing
finances, and marketing and contracting.
With a keen eye to the future, FireLodge Youth Council was
established to enhance CPN youth’s ability to successfully connect with, embrace, and contribute to their community and their
traditional Native American culture. Youth ages 12 to 17 years
are eligible to receive prevention services with a focus on alcohol, drugs, life skills, and school success. All programs are voluntary and services provided include a tribal youth council, inschool prevention programs, an after school youth club program,
and summer camps. Parenting education classes for parents of
adolescents are also offered, as well as referrals to additional community resources.
Through these economic development businesses, Citizen
Potawatomi Nation has been able to provide for their own people in a extraordinary way. How far they’ve come utilizing those
funds to support and enhance their tribal community is a testament to their ingenuity, creativity and inner-fire. ®
For more information about Grand Casino Hotel Resort, visit
www.grandshawnee.com. For more information about Citizen
Potawatomi Nation, visit www.potawatomi.org.
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