Tiketa Champion was on vacation with her family visiting The Lagoon, a water park at Treasure Island Resort & Casino. On the drive over from Rochester, she noticed signs advertising Island Peži, a new cannabis dispensary.
So she dropped off her husband and two boys at the water park and headed to the dispensary.
“I’m here trying to figure out what they have for me,” Champion said.
Being located close to the Twin Cities and having the casino next door will most likely bring profits, which will go to the tribal government for health care, education and other services.
Tom Baker for MPR News
The water park, resort and casino are owned by the Prairie Island Indian Community. On Saturday, the tribe celebrates the opening of Island Peži in Welch, near Red Wing (Peži is the Dakota word for grass — pronounced PAY-zhee.)
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Champion arrived a few days early, during the store’s soft opening.
Island Peži’s grand opening is Saturday. Cannabis vendors, food trucks and live music will be part of festivities.
“I think it is a great opportunity to be one of the first to the market,” said Blake Johnson, president of