Thoughts and Conclusions: Today across America we are faced with a detrimental situation. On our reservations we have initiated casino gaming. This isn't so much of a problem unto its own, but there arises such a situation that greed, nepotism, and just plain old dirty politics come to our communities and destroy us from within. These flaws in our nature must not go unchecked. Yes, I agree that casinos have provided for elderly care, housing, schools, medical, dental, optical, and any other provision you might care to add, but the one thing that the pan-Indian thinkers don't tell you is: NOT ALL TRIBES HAVE CASINOS, AND NOT ALL TRIBES FOLLOW THE 1987 IGRA TO A "T". That is to say, some tribes, you know who you are, don't provide housing to their people they only provide housing for their chairman and his family. They don't provide medical care etc. they have Federal Government sized budgets and incomes, yet they get most of their operating capital from government subsidies. They have sold out their own people to join Corporate America. And in the end it is the people who pay. You can quote me on this: you always talk about seventh generation teachings, but never about seventh generation thinking. We should not ask what we can do for those who live seven generations from now... we should ask what will they know? And what will they remember about us? And with these two questions in place, live our lives accordingly. I have been around the casino business for many years. I watched the early days of Michigan, Buddy Raphael in TC, Fred Dakota at KBIC, and Bernard Boschour in the Sault, have all given us lessons in business practices on tribal grounds. We watched as the casino became giants, and provided money for the tribes. We see how our people act when they get that all infamous "per-capita" check, or when they control a billion dollar a year business. Disgrace resonates throughout the community because there is a house of ill repute in their back yard. All of these things, both good and bad need to be addressed. The joke in Indian Country is "hey why don't you find yourself a Sag Chip and settle down". Well Saginaw has done very well for its tribe and its people; it is hard to deny this fact. Other tribes in Michigan, like Hannahville under Ken Mishigaud's leadership, have provided better schools, better housing, and better community programs, but not so much money to its people. Who is right? That is a question for you to decide. I don't currently endorse a casino for GRB's future, but that is not to say that I wouldn't in the future. There are too many variables that go along with such a beast. How do we educate our people so that they don't become dependant solely on a per cap check every month (even if it is like Saginaw’s roughly $74,000 a year)? How do we teach them to handle their new found wealth? Or do we not have a moral obligation to our own people? How do we vindicate ourselves of the negative impact that casinos have proven they impose upon a community? Or do we just not care about that? Is a casino right for GRB at this time? This last question is on many tribal members lips, and it is bothersome. We are already spending energy deciding if we want to be a casino tribe, and we haven't gotten past recognition. There is already a breakdown of communication amongst tribal members and their government, and this is not a good start. Do we have a moral, legal, or general obligation to our people in this day and age; I would answer an unequivocal yes. But as well we owe our seventh generation that same consideration. It is my belief that our tribal leaders are not doing that today, that these casinos are a great fix for the now, but aren't thought through enough for seventh generation consideration. Where has our identity gone to? To quote my dental hygienist "Scott you're Indian, which casino is yours?" It was funny until I thought about it for a couple of days. We have gone full circle from savage heathens to rich casino owning injuns. What will our people know in 150 years? What will they remember about us and our actions? If we build a casino in the future, or if you belong to a tribe who already owns a casino, these are questions you should ask your tribal council. If you are on the council you should ask yourself and your people. Like most of my people I am not part of the tribal government, so that means I have the right to hold them accountable. The last word there, accountable, is a large word. It holds too much information to be an English word; it should be an Indian word. Accountable! That is what we are to ourselves, our tribal government is to us, the federal government is to treaties, and the state to its constituents. Accountability is a tremendous responsibility and should be place on those who can handle it, not just those who ask for it. In seven generations we will be held accountable for our actions today. Will tradition, our language, songs, heritage, and our ancestral knowledge survive? Were we the generation that broke the promise and became "the weakest link"? Final question, what did YOU do for our people today? P.S. If I have upset you by my words...GOOD! E-mail me and let me know your side. Together we can create a solution. If my words bear no effect, I will try again soon.
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