An Historic Fishing Resort Is Revived Through a Tribal Assist
Raving CEO Deana Scott with Raving Hospitality Partner, Brett Magnan, at Eddy’s Resort, Onamia, MN
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe opened Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley in 1991 and 1992, creating thousands of jobs and generating revenues that benefit the Band, it’s nearly 4,600 members, and its non-Indian neighbors.
The success of their gaming operation has allowed the Tribe to expand their enterprises and diversifying outside of gaming into hospitality. In recent years they have acquiring two large downtown St. Paul hotels, one in Oklahoma City. Introducing: Corporate Commission of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe – a company now known as Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures (MLCV).
However, one of their projects fell close to home and close to their hearts.
Eddy’s Resort sits on the banks of Mille Lacs Lake and had the largest fleet of fishing vessels on the lake. An iconic staple to the area, this resort served generations of families throughout the years.
The Story of the Eddy’s
In 1960, Edward Silker, A.K.A. Eddy, established the resort and every winter for the next 10 years, he and his crew would handcraft a new launch boat. All boats were built at Eddy’s Resort and were numbered according to what year they were built. The boats 6, 8, 9 and 10 signify the years 1966, 1968, 1969 and 1970 and are still being used to this day.
MLCV engaged their architectural partners to find a restorative solution that would capture the genuine spirit of Eddy’s and create a destination resort that continues to provide employment opportunities for the community, boost local tourism and enhance the environmental quality of the shoreline.
For more information on Eddy’s visit http://eddysresort.com/about-eddys/