Comments | anthropologist: As Gaming Profits Grow, So Does Indian Infighting

kenosis in anthropologist

As Gaming Profits Grow, So Does Indian Infighting

Nov 23, 2006 22:12

Who saw this one coming a mile away?

In recent years, at least 10 of California's 39 gaming tribes, including many in Northern California, have kicked out members or denied them a share of casino profits that often exceed $50 million a year ( Read more... )

usa, economics, games, native americans

Comments 11

thorny_rose November 24 2006, 07:14:32 UTC

I didn't (cuz I never think about it), but it's typical of the greedy. Pretty sad/pathetic, though.

calendae November 24 2006, 07:40:27 UTC

It's hard to gauge this from the article, but there's always been a great deal of politics involved in who is recognized as "Indian" and who is not. There may be an increase in this type of infighting since the advent of casinos, but I don't know if you'd be able to say that this particular tiype of infighting is greater because of the casinos.

Tribal politics are fucked in the most organized of tribes.

coiling November 24 2006, 16:27:45 UTC

What do people from India have to do with casinos?

borntofr4g November 24 2006, 17:39:45 UTC

They're talking about American Indians.

coiling November 25 2006, 17:41:07 UTC

This is a derogatory word, much like "eskimo" when referring to Inuits (especially being an anthropologist/learner). When referring to these peoples, they much rather prefer being called "Native Americans".

The sad thing about Native Americans is that they currently make up 1%-2% of the population on the North American continent.

In 2050, they will still make up 1%-2%.

kenosis November 25 2006, 18:22:22 UTC

When you say, "they much rather prefer being called 'Native Americans'", umm ... well, let's look at the words:

"What really tears me apart is people saying, You're not Indian; you don't belong to the tribe.' Before gaming, we were all Indians," said Matt Franklin, vice chair of the Ione band of Miwok, another tribe bitterly divided over its gaming future.

Thread 8

morganraven November 24 2006, 18:34:13 UTC

In northern California this issue of who is "Indian" and who isn't has been going on since the US assigned land in the ranchero style and any "Indian" who was not living on their assigned land was considered homeless. Homeless Indians were allowed to be rounded up and sold as "indentured servants" (read slaves - yes after the emancipation law). So families who already lived on the assigned land would try to hold that land for their descendents so they wouldn't end up as slaves.
And before you ask yes I am Native, Kahsadi (Shasta's from the Oregon side of the border along the Rouge River)