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Media Myths |
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Misrepresentation #2
Myth: "Washington perceived gaming on reservations as a cheap way to wean tribes from government handouts." Reality: This statement is simply false. Indian gaming is not a federal program, but instead is one tool that tribal governments use – just as States use lotteries – to generate revenue fro their communities. The U.S. Supreme Court, in California v. Cabazon, recognized that Tribes, as governments, retain the inherent authority to conduct gaming on Indian lands pursuant to tribal law. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) is actually a limitation of these rights. IGRA permits State governments a role in regulating Indian gaming through the tribal-state compacting process. The main supporters for Washington’s involvement in Indian gaming were State governments and commercial gaming interests, who sought to limit competition from Tribes. Second, the Federal programs that benefit Tribes – which TIME refers to as "handouts" – represent both the fulfillment of the United States’ obligations to Tribes and the recognition of Tribes as governments. The federal programs that apply to Indian Tribes – do so because of the federal government’s recognition of the fact that Tribes are governments. Many of these same programs aid State and local units of government. In addition, the Federal government incurred obligations through treaties with tribal governments when establishing the land base for this Nation, and in return, the U.S. promised to provide Tribes with support for education, health care, and help to build their economies. Federal programs that benefits Tribes – in one way that the government attempts to fulfill these responsibilities. |
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