Thoughts on Indian Gaming
Contents:
Gaming, A First Good Step
Contrary to the wildly naive rhetoric of the anti-gaming right and left,
Indian gambling remains the most viable economicic option for a people long-suffering
under the yoke of a horribly mismanaged policy of paternalism; not a savior,
to be sure, but a good first step on the road to self-sufficiency. To those
who question gaming's economic benefits, I would ask them to suggest an
equally attractive (i.e. competitive with gambling's $800 million plus in
profits and deep reductions in what was previously massive and intransigent
unemployment) activity. To those who bemoan some illusory loss in tribal
"identity", I would draw their attention to the $10 million donation
recently given by the now wealthy Pequot tribe to the Smithsonian Institute
for the establishment of a Museum of Native American History. Native Americans
have the legal and moral right to determine their economic and cultural
future; gaming should stay.
Mark E. Brewton, Freshman (undeclared)
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Buy Out The Braves
After all the treaty rights the U.S. government have denied Native American
tribes over the last couple of centuries, they certainly deserve special
privileges now. If they wish to make casinos an economic force behind their
tribe, so be it. I'm just waiting for one of the tribes which makes some
money this way to buy out the Cleveland Indians and the Atlanta Braves and
rid us of their offensive, horrendous mascots, since the old-school white
males now in charge don't see any problem with them.
Amy Brynolfson, Sophomore
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Let's Play
Everybody loves to gamble. Whether it be dice, cards, or human souls, the
average person is more than willing to take a substantial risk in hopes
of hitting that mythical motherlode. I love to gamble, too. Unfortunately,
the only place I've ever been able to bet my money was in a dimly-lit, illegal
after-hours club at 4:00 am, with a fat guy named Mel. I lost ten bucks.
However, if I were to visit a reservation, I could gamble freely at any
hour of the day, without having to worry about the police. Gambling on reservations
is a respectable institution and beneficial, as well. By earning revenue
off of unlucky saps such as myself, residents of these reservations would
not be forced to exploit the few resources that they have on their land.
Also, it may not be long before other areas in the United States begin legalizing
gambling, thereby diverting the flow of income away from the reservations.
The "window of opportunity" for revenue based on gambling may
not be open long, so reservations would be better off to keep gambling legal
for now, to generate as much income as possible. So, roll them dice and
lay down those cards. Let's play!
Sean Kennedy, senior, international relations
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Complicated Implications
It is critical to recognize that in many cases, gaming tribes have already
exhausted all other resources for economic development before the advent
of Indian gaming. The recent development of numerous casinos in Indian country
bolsters a primarily struggling reservation economy. Many gaming tribes
utilize the resulting revenue to contribute to the growth of their traditional
Indian values, culture, and education. Despite these positive benefits of
Indian gaming, the impact of the gaming tribes at the upper echelons of
economic success is powerful and misconstrued. The misconception exists
that most tribes benefit from Indian gaming, and that success of gaming
tribes will necessarily translate into success of gaming tribes will necessarily
translate into success of non-gaming tribes. In effect, non-gaming tribes
may ultimately end up with less federal funding, post-gaming, if the federal
government successfully uses gaming as a justification to further limit
funding, especially in the current era of budget-tightening. Indian gaming
may turn out to be a short-lived prosperity, and a short-lived prosperity
for only a narrow group of tribes.
Tasha McNeil, Senior, Anthropology
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Featured Opinions
Everyone Wiuns with Indian Gaming; Time Sanchez
A Modern "Small-pox" for Native Culture;
Clay Akiwenzie
Background
Gaming and Violence on Reservations; Dan
Stettler
Other Opinions
A "Golden" Gopher?; Matt Kelso
Quick Thoughts . . .
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This page created: January 1996
Copyright 1996, The Thinker All rights reserved.