Casino Enterprise Management

As we near the end of another year, I am filled with overwhelming pride and admiration for all that Indian Country has accomplished to make Indian Gaming a successful and promising industry. We entered 2007 knowing that our $22 billion industry not only played an important cultural role in the history of the United States, but for the first time in centuries, was crucial to the economic interests and vitality of the entire country as well.

The Mashantucket Pequot tribe and the United Auto Workers (UAW) union agree on one thing, at least: to disagree on whether or not the regional National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has the authority to oversee labor practices at Foxwoods Resort Casino. This is where the two sides stood on Oct. 15, at the close of a hearing on the battle over dealer unionization at the world’s largest casino.

For many Americans, especially those who know little about Native American history, it’s hard to understand the depth of poverty that has existed throughout Indian Country and continues to persist in some areas today. On most reservations, plumbing and electricity were unattainable luxuries. Tribal governments struggled to provide basic services, such as healthcare, fire and police services. Reservation
unemployment levels routinely topped 80 percent.

The California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), the largest regional Indian Gaming association in the country, has unanimously voted to support four Southern California tribes and oppose any efforts to overturn the compacts they negotiated with the state of California. The action came at a full meeting of the association, which includes 35 gaming tribes and 30 non-gaming tribes, following efforts to overturn the compacts through four referenda petitions proposed for the February ballot.

For years Indians have participated in Thanksgiving Day events and holidays with mixed emotions. We believe a federal designation of the Friday after Thanksgiving as "Native American Heritage Day" would be a big step toward creating public awareness and understanding of our contributions and struggles in the founding of this great nation.

Read what's new in Native American Gaming, featuring Arizona's Navajo Nation's financing for casino development, oppositions in tribal gaming compacts in California, a new casino in Massachusetts, a motion to allow gaming on the main casino floor at the Kewadin Shores Casino in Michigan, the findings from a new Indian Gaming Industry Report, and NIGC's new director of enforcement.

For many Indian tribes, gaming generates essential government revenue that provides services, builds infrastructure and creates jobs. Without question, it has created economic opportunities for Indian Country and surrounding communities that previously did not exist. Indian Gaming has also managed to succeed where many federal programs have failed.

If you read this column with any regularity, you know I believe that Indian Gaming is, without a doubt, the Native American success story. As such, tribal governments are keenly aware of the need to protect the integrity and honesty of their Tribal Gaming facilities. For many of us, gaming revenues represent the majority of our governmental operating budgets, which provide critical infrastructure and vital services to our people.

In the months-long ordeal centered on Indian Gaming in California, the tribes, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the state Assembly and labor unions have remained at an impasse that seemed — until recent weeks — impossible to overcome. But, at long last, as of this writing, meetings are beginning to take place between key legislators and tribal leaders. A new compact could be in the offing.

Read about Native American gaming news from August 2007. Featured is news from California, Kansas, Massachusetts and New York. Stories include a changed site for a Quechan Tribe casino near the Mexico border, new management for the Prairie Band Casino & Resort, a possible Class III casino for a newly recognized tribe, and a new golf course project.