21-Dec-07. Enoch Cree buck smoking legislation. Edmonton Journal, B4.

The Enoch Cree Nation is fighting new  provincial smoking legislation with a bylaw that will allow patrons of its River Cree Casino to smoke. The new bylaw is modelled after one on the Tsuu T’ina reserve near Calgary that will allow the new casino to be exempt from the Tobacco Reducation Act, which will prohibit smoking in all work and public places as of January 1, 2008.

20-Jul-07. Saturday night’s all right for fighting. Edmonton Journal, B8.

The River Cree Resort outside of Edmonton will begin hosting “ultimate fighting” matches to draw people into the casino.  The first match will be held July 21, with other matches to follow every four to six weeks.  Because the casino is outside city limits, the band council had to form its own regulatory body for the sport - the River Cree Combative Sports Commission.

7-Jun-07. Casino ready for prime time. Edmonton Journal, R2.

The River Cree Resort and Casino will host summer concerts this year in a 1,500 person tent, in hopes of becoming more of an entertainment destination.  The casino includes a hockey rink, hotel, nightclub and restaurants, but unlike many Las Vegas casinos, it does not have an indoor concert venue.

2-Jun-07. Province expects reserves to comply on smoking ban. Edmonton Journal, A6.

The Alberta government says that a proposed smoking ban that would apply to all public places should also apply to First Nations reserves in the province.  The Enoch First Nation, near home to a newly built casino that allows smoking in certain areas, is against the ban, saying that their land is under federal jurisdiction only.  The First Nation could become exempt from the provincial legislation by passing its own smoking bylaws and having them approved by the federal government.

2-Apr-07. Are casino boards a stacked deck? Edmonton Journal, A6.

The men chairing the boards of two new Alberta First Nations casinos are reported to be political veterans. Bob Westbury heads the seven-member River Cree Casino board and Peter Elzinga is the chairs the Alexis board. Liberal solicitor-general critic Mo Elsalhy said the appointments don’t pass the “smell test” because Westbury and Elzinga have access to political power and decision-makers that most Albertans don’t have.

2-Apr-07. The woman who brought Las Vegas to Edmonton. Edmonton Journal, A6.

Diana Bennett of Paragon Gaming first began her involvement with Enoch Cree’s plans to develop Alberta’s first aboriginal casino six year ago. The $178-million River Cree Casino opened last year and now Paragon is also building Alberta’s second-biggest First Nation casino, the Alexis Nakota Sioux’s $63.5-million project near Whitecourt.

19-Nov-06. Casino is smokin’!. Edmonton Sun, 16.

This editorial column concerns the ban on smoking in casinos located in the City of Edmonton. The River Cree Resort and Casino on Enoch Cree reserve land is not subject to restrictions on smoking and has attracted smokers to the facility. The columnist says that there was plenty of evidence that the city’s July 2005 smoking ban bylaw would negatively impact business.

27-Oct-06. Gala launch of River Cree casino a bubbly affair. Edmonton Journal, B3.

The $178-million River Cree Resort and Casino held a private event for 1,500 invited guests on Wednesday. Bob Westbury, Enoch Paragon management board chairman, introduced speakers at the reception and praised the vision of Alberta Premier Ralph Klein. Klein had envisioned what he termed destination casinos on First Nation people’s lands. Enoch Chief Ron Morin was also honoured for spearheading the drive for a casino resort.

26-Oct-06. Alberta’s 18th casino opens today. Lethbridge Herald, A2.

When it opens today on the Enoch reserve at the western fringe of Edmonton, the River Cree Resort and Casino will be the 18th casino in the Province of Alberta. Gary Smith, who studies gambling at the University of Alberta and the Alberta Gaming Research Institute, believes the province is likely close to its casino saturation point. Stephanie Francis of the provincial gaming commission said casino proposals are being put on hold for the next 10 months while the commission researches the impacts.

23-Oct-06. Enoch sees lucky break in casino. Edmonton Journal, A1.

The River Cree casino and resort on the Enoch Cree reserve west of Edmonton opened its doors for a community open house on Sunday. About 200 First Nations people have been hired to fill jobs at the resort complex which represents one-third of staff. The Enoch Cree partnered with Paragon Gaming of Las Vegas to undertake the project which is intended to spearhead economic development on the reserve.