LITR 4332: American Minority Literature

Sample Student Final Exam Answers 2005

Research Report

Casinos and Their Impact on Native American Indian Culture

Native American Indians throughout the years have struggled to maintain their tribal sovereignty despite the hardships they have faced. The onset of life changing events for the Native American people began in the 1800’s when as Maria Napoli states, “federal policies deemed tribes as “wards of the state” and stripped tribes of their land and resources” (17). Despite being forced to live on specified land designated Indian reservations, the Native American Indians have proven their resilience. Historically NAI have survived off of what nature provided the buffalo, and the benefits of their culture. The economic struggles of the NAI people became apparent as the federal government finally took notice of their deplorable living conditions. Roger Biles states, “These shockingly inferior living conditions, long tucked away on remote Indian lands emerged into the national consciousness because of presidential aspirant John F. Kennedy’s comments during the 1960 campaign, which challenged the policy of termination implemented after the Second World War by officials in the Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower administrations” (50). The NAI society of today uses gaming which has often been referred to as, “the new buffalo,” to survive. Napoli explains that, “Gaming in many was has replaced “the buffalo” providing tribes an avenue to bring themselves out of poverty and provide for themselves with the hope that they will finally be free of federal paternalism”(17) The effects on their culture becomes evident as we understand more of their existence throughout history.

The culture of the NAI is maintained through family support and ceremony.  Another important part of their culture is the stories passed down by the tribal elders. The skeptical views their culture has on gaming are revealed as Sean Paige explains, “Navajo elders have told and retold the Legend of the Great Gambler who, after losing everything in a high stakes wager with the people, vows someday to return and destroy them. Maybe the Gambler was the white man, muses Navajo changer and medicine man Alfred Yazie, or maybe he’s coming back in the form of casinos” (1). This skepticism would continue in various degrees as the success of Native American Casinos took off.  The main issue of concern was that the Native values would be lost to the materialistic values of the dominant non-Native society. The origin of gaming as part of the history of Native American Indians, Franke Wilmer explains, “Games of chance frequently originated in connection with spiritual beliefs and practices, although some people object to casino gambling precisely on the grounds that it bears little connection with these traditions” (89). In the 1970’s gaming on the reservations got a boost as the first bingo halls opened up and soon after casinos.  Soon after Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulator Act of 1988 which was to insure that the revenue from the Native American casinos promotes tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and strong tribal governments.

The most important thing that the NAI people wanted back after they were stripped of their land was their voice/choice in society.  One example of their determination is given by Napoli as she states, “Evidence of their resilience is seen in the mid 1980’s as members of the Pequot Nation moved back to their tribal land because they discovered that their land would be taken over by the State of Connecticut when the last tribal member, a terminally ill elderly woman died” (18). With the arrival of gaming many believed that the economic struggles that their culture faced would be alleviated. Native American Casinos pay no federal, state, local or sales taxes on income made on tribal land.  Napoli believes that, “Financial autonomy is one key to the Native people becoming self-sufficient and will help to develop a new attitude “rising pride and can-doism” among their people” (18).  The plans that the American government has had with tribal land has been no secret. One of the most economically successful NAI casinos in Connecticut, The Foxwoods Resort Casino, almost was not built. An interesting bit of history told by Dr. Ronald A. Nykiel explains, “In the 1960’s Connecticut authorities were planning on turning the Mashantucket Pequot reservation into a state park. The authorities discovered a road block of three elderly women born and raised at Mashantucket early in the century” (51).  These three ladies helped protect the tribal rights of the Pequot for nearly 20 years.  Nykiel states that, “Since the opening of its Foxwoods Resort Casino in 1992, the Nation has created almost 13,000 jobs and played a leading role in revitalizing the southern Connecticut economy of the early 1990’s” (55).

The advantages that have come out of the profits from the casinos have also brought additional corruption on Indian reservations. Paige explains, “Fred Dakota, who was known as the father of tribal gaming for opening one of the nation’s first Indian casinos in his two-car garage is one of many tribal officials caught up in casino-related corruption” (2). However, the advantages have continued in some aspects to outweigh the disadvantages. Gaming has allowed the NAI people to achieve better living conditions, more educational opportunities and has opened more opportunities to have a voice in the political aspects of their society. This positive side of the economic benefits from the casinos Napoli states, “Most importantly, gaming revenues have taken some Native people out of “survival mode” and brought back the significance of balance and connection to family and to the land” (36). The Native American Indian people in many ways continue to be resilient people, considering what they’ve lost.

Works Cited

Napoli, Maria. “Native Wellness for the New Millennium: the Impact of Gaming.” Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare. Vol. 29.1 (March 2002): 17-36.

Paige, Sean. “Gambling on the Future – US Native American Casinos – Cover Story – Industry Overview.” Insight on the News 22 December 1997: 1-6.

www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_n47_v13/ai_20090926 (On-line Magazine Article) 

Nykiel, Ronald A. “A Special Look at Indian Gaming.” UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal 8.2 (2004): 51-56.

Wilmer, Franke. “Indian Gaming: Players and Stakes.” 12.1 Wicazo Sa Review, (Spring, 1977): 89-114.

Biles, Roger. “Public Housing on the Reservation.” American Indian Culture and Research Journal 24.2 (2000): 49-63.

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