Indian Gaming: Why is the Backlash Growing?

Editorial: Native American Times - SHAMEFUL REPORT DISTORTS TRIBAL GAMING

(Dec 17,2002)

The December 16, 2002 edition of TIME Magazine in its story “Look who’s cashing in at Indian Casinos” a special (sic) investigation by Donald L. Bartlett, and James B. Steele, the once proud publication at best distorts and shamefully lies at it’s worst in presenting it’s story.

Recently, the Wall Street Journal and the Tulsa World have both decided to take their integrity for a spin and write editorials and articles, which fan the flames of racism with lies.

But, let’s start with the first sentence in the story: “Imagine, if you will, Congress passing a bill to make Indian tribes more self-sufficient that gives billions of dollars to the white backers of Indian businesses – and nothing to hundreds of thousands of Native Americans living in poverty.” It asks the reader to “imagine” which is exactly what the article did in making its premise. If someone imagines some thought or concept then the idea comes from the reader not the writer. Congress never passed a bill, which gives billions of dollars to one Indian to fund gaming or enrich an investor. Never, never and no matter how many times TIME magazine says it, doesn’t make it true. Unfortunately, Time has a good reputation and most people will read that first sentence and believe the rest of the article.

They make much of the fact that Oklahoma doesn’t share in the wealth even though there are more Native Americans here than any other state. But they fell to mention the fact that the state of Oklahoma and the Governor have resisted allowing Class III gaming in Oklahoma. Indians in Oklahoma would like nothing better than to escape the reality of abject poverty, but they will have to fight to get their foot in the door. That will take lobbying; something TIME magazine has a problem with according to their reporting. Tribes are fighting for their collective lives and have to fight with every resource available to them to hold off those who would send them back to the metaphoric reservation.

Most people know that tribal success with gaming is as varied as the rainbow. One tribe is doing well and another doesn’t make a penny. The reasons are just as varied. But to read these articles is to believe that Indian gaming is just a ruse to enrich certain tribes.

The examples of bad gaming are certainly compelling, but are certainly not representative of what Indian gaming has done for many the poorest tribes in America.

While they may look at some rich tribes with contempt, it is closer to justice. The writers who once won a Pulitzer Prize for reporting take issue with the Shakopee tribe and their lucrative casino Mystic Lake in Minnesota. If any tribe deserves a break it is that tribe. Mass hangings and one of the most harrowing trips ever taken under arms by and Indian tribe is part of their history. There are so few members because they were almost wiped out. They point accusingly at the per capita payments the tribe shares with its members, we hope the tribe doubles the amount. It belongs to them and what and how they spend it is not the business of two racially insensitive reporters.

They have declared war on Indians who are among the richest people in this country and we believe that is the crux of the article. The thought of rich Indians is against nature we can only assume. TIME doesn’t care about those poor Indians who are not sharing in the profits of more fortunate tribes. The history of this country and wealth is shameful and has never changed. When the Osages struck oil in the 1920’s it set off a grisly series of murders to separate the tribe and their money. There remain over 50 unsolved murders during the Osage reign of terror. Back in New York City, one of the first streets name was Wall Street. It was so named to keep Indians away from the collective wealth of foreign immigrants.

Despite the wealth of some tribes, Indian people are still the poorest race of people in the country. They still have the highest instances of infant mortality. They still have the lowest life expectancy. They are still the victims of more acts of racist violence among any racial group.

TIME would have Indian people put in a position to never be able to correct these numbers. Indian people are no longer going to give away their resources for pennies on the ton or stop making profits just because a multi-million dollar media giant is envious of tribal wealth.

http://www.okit.com/opinion/2002/novdec/shamefulreport.html