October 28, 1997

Greed striking communities

Nationwide there are two Indian tribes that would build gaming casinos over the graves of their dead. It is hard to conceive of such a thing and ours is not to defend or to condemn the actions of tlic tribal councils of these Indian nations, but to ask why..

Indian nations have plunged head first into gaming It has taken precedent over afl else Some Indian natio ns have sold out themselves and their sovereignty for the sake of gaming It appears that gaming is the cocaine of Indian country.

It is addictive beyond words and the rush to become a gaming tribe has caused some tribal councils to forsake all of their dradit ion.s and even their cultures. Where anc we headed and where will it end'? These are the questions every Indian in America should be asking themselves and their leaders.

We cannot but harp back on the words of Roger Jourdain, the former chairman of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa who served his people for 30 years in that capacity. "Are we going to wake up one morning and discover that we have sold our souls for the right to open a casino." Mr. Jourdain said nearly 10 years ago?

The "G" word has become: the loudest word in Indian country and it stands for "Greed." This newspaper has said time and time again hat garni ng should be viewed as a small window of opportunity and that the revenue should be used to rebuild the tribes' infrastructure provide scholarships, invested in retirement plans, used to huild hospitals and high schools, and to be placed into an investment plan that will provide for the well-being of its future generations. Then, and only then, can Indian gaming be called "a good thing".