Fighting for the Soul of Native America -- USA

April 1999
Marginalised Native Americans are using loopholes in reservation law to beat the USA at its best game: making money.

For decades Indians have been corralled onto tiny unproductive reservations where alcohol and welfare dependency destroyed their culture. But a loophole in the reservation system - meaning they are not subject to state laws - is enabling Indian tribes to reap riches from the US obsession with gambling. Chief Pico speaks proudly of the transformation of his people, "We're entrepreneurs now, we understand that game...we'll be building a museum dedicated to conTemporary Native America soon with another casino, golf course and hotel." This new found capitalist assimilation though has raised plenty of opposition, especially from neighbouring Nevada, who are outraged that the Indians can run casinos tax free in a State where gambling is illegal. The Vegas gambling chiefs are bankrolling huge opposition groups, and waging a high profile debate on State TV. The casino profits, which by law must be spent within the reservations, are allowing the Indian land to bloom, the start Chief Pico says of a Native American cultural renaissance.

Produced by ABC Australia
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

Category:

News & Politics

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• reservation
• loophole
• law
• gambling
• casino
• profit
• capitalism
• boom
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[GrahamCOD]

we took their land so how gives a shit if they don't have to pay taxes

[Andreananook]

@akira543

idiot Native American counterparts?? Many people seem to be very confused and angered by a couple peoples hateful comments. looks to me to be a two way street. i am not going to attack you or anyone else by what color your skin is. I may feel pity and sadness for ignorant people who do. Judging a whole race by what a few has done is complete ignorance. In this day and age it is sad to see so many people driven by hatred. I am a proud Native woman and it saddens me to see such hat

[BigLaxFan1994]

That's a huge misconception. Many Natives out there pay their taxes just like everyone else. Don't be misled about that because those are just one of the many misconceptions about Native folks. But remember... Native power all the way! Hehehehehee. ;)

[muslima671]

Why not?...So many white, sound hearted people do. Whatever ethnicity or background, each one of us has a moral responsibility to help their neighbours and brothers who are finding life a struggle...Life is not about living for one self but a test of ones true character and the sacrifices needed to make a difference to anothers day to day living...Helping them up when they have lost all hope of really living not just existing:)! The question is "Is there are a real point to our existence?"

[MegaOrangePenguin]

@muslima671 You wouldn't tell white people to do that, give away their hard earned money on other homeless, drugs addicted white people.

[muslima671]

Instead of creating casinos these people need to see what is more important and open their eyes to their fellow Indian brothers and sisters in different states who are living lives of constant dispair, high levels of unemployment, with drink and drug issues...ending with heigh levels of suicide amongst young Indians...this money needs to be pt into better use and create jobs that will bring the whole Indian community out of poverty not the few that can live this high life...this is just greed!

[galaxything]

@GrahamCOD exactly, they lived fine, westerners came and fucked em up and stole there land and forced what was left of the natives to use the western system where money is needed.

[ilovequiche]

@ratdaddycbg There are people from everywhere who live in delusion, but the positive seeds that has been planted by others is still worth recognizing and keeping alive.Love

[hint0122]

I say if they can have casinos, then they should pay the same taxes as everyone else

[akira543]

@Andreananook I hear you... now that I look back at it, I suppose I got unnecessarily wound up, it's a flaw of mine. Well Native Americans are human too and not exempt from being bigots like anyone else, as you said it's a two way street. I've experienced racism from Native peoples and was prejudice in return... :/ now I've matured enough to understand that those are/were the few "bad apples" and not at all representative of the general 'Native American community' - if I can put it that way?