Tuesday, May 13, 2003

misc Indian gaming links

local and otherwise. Not terribly pointed, mainly wanted to collect them in one place to supplement yesterday's batch. I don't know any more than you do.

Time magazine Dec 2002 articles on Indian gaming:
  • Dec 16 2002 cover, with links to all
  • Wheel of Misfortune (sorry, $$ required)
    Casinos were supposed to make Indian tribes self-sufficient. So why are the white backers of Indian gambling raking in millions while many tribes continue to struggle in poverty?
  • Playing the Political Slots - How Indian casino interests have learned the art of buying influence in Washington (summary)

Local, in more or less chronological order:

Dec 2002, Don Herrman letter re Indian gaming:
...Recently a lawyer representing a tribe that had been most generous to a state politician floated the idea that this sovereign nation need not comply with the rules of disclosure of the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)...Just as in illegal drug trafficking, the immensity of the cash generated by the gambling industry virtually assures the corruption of those who brush up against it, including, too often, our governing leaders...

Dec. 2002, Casino gaming gets mixed signals
The Nevada County supervisors backed off a resolution opposing Indian gaming casinos Tuesday. The Nevada City City Council flatly rejected it the night before.
All City Council members spoke and voted against the resolution, some calling it discriminatory.
...Don Ryberg, tribal chairman of the Tsi-Akim Maidu, Nevada County's native people, voiced his opposition.
"I'm opposing this resolution because it smacks of racism, prejudice and all the stuff that goes with it," Ryberg said.
...In January 2001, Nevada County supervisors passed a resolution to recognize the Tsi-Akim Maidu tribe and support its pursuit of federal recognition.
While Ryberg thanked the supervisors for their recognition and support, he stressed that the Maidu tribe doesn't want Indian gaming.
"I've said that repeatedly over and over and that's how this tribe believes," Ryberg said.
Once the Maidus' gain federal recognition, "no other tribe can come on our turf, so to speak, and build casinos," Ryberg added.
Maidu tribal member Louella Giordano said backers of the resolution were jumping the gun.
"We are not a federally recognized tribe," Giordano said. "These people are acting like a casino's going up across the street next week."
The Maidu tribal council is against Indian gaming, Giordano added.

Jan 2003, Supervisors oppose Nevada-style gaming:
The board unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday opposing Nevada-style gaming. The resolution also supports a renegotiation of the California Tribal-State Compact regarding casinos on Indian lands.
...
Eileen Moon, vice chair of the Tsi-Akim clan of the Maidu tribe, [said] the Maidu tribe is against gaming and is not considering any casinos here...

Feb 2003, Locals to meet with lawmakers about Indian casinos:
Nevada County Supervisor Peter Van Zant last month wrote the governor a letter expressing concern about the "rapid expansion" of Indian casinos and resorts. A local worry, he said, is how a casino would affect land-use planning.
While he knew of no plans for a casino in Nevada County, Van Zant noted the county is within jurisdiction of the United Auburn Indian Community.
"There's some hoops they'd have to jump and other legalities, but if they meet those legalities, they've got every right to go ahead (and build) a casino," he said.
The UAIC's lawyer, Howard Dickstein, couldn't be reached for comment Monday.

Feb 2003, Rocklin casino to open this summer:
The U. S. Department of the Interior took the tribe's 49-acre site in trust last year and the tribe's Las Vegas-based management partner, Station Casinos, will run the operation that will include five restaurants and parking for 3,000 cars.

Mar 2003, Union editorial (executive summary: local casino would NOT be good for the community)

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