Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has asked the federal government to promptly decide a West Michigan Ottawa tribe’s federal status, in order to make a better informed decision on whether to grant a neighboring tribe’s request for a casino in Muskegon County.

The federally recognized Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, originally descended from villages of the Grand River Bands (GRB) in what’s now West Michigan, are seeking to implement a casino on 60 acres in Muskegon county.

Per an order from former President Donald Trump’s office just weeks before he left office, Whitmer has until June 16 to tell the Department of Interior (DOI) whether she concurs with the effort.