Local view: Tribal casinos hold a stacked deck
June 15, 2012 at 7:00 pm in Duluth News Tribune
Congratulations to editorial cartoonist Steve Lindstrom for his May 31 cartoon in the News Tribune depicting the city of Duluth’s struggle to maintain its casino contract with the Fond du Lac tribe. The cartoon correctly demonstrated that the U.S. Department of Interior is anything but a neutral party in any negotiations between the city and the tribe.
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Thank you Mr. Fink for your brave, well research and thoughtful comments. Thank you DNT for printing his comments. Karen Diver wonders why the casino gets little respect on this issue. She points to contributions the casino makes to the region as if that should justify her actions. The reason for the declining opinion of the Tribe is due to Diver’s resolve that the Tribe will sever the contract her ancestors made with the City of Duluth. Diver points out new laws and rulings that she thinks make the promise worth breaking. What Diver does not seem to realize is that respect comes from doing the honorable thing when presented with the means and motive to do the wrong thing. Respect comes from actions and Diver’s actions are clear. Duluthians have every reason to feel betrayal rather than admiration for Diver’s handling of the Tribe’s interaction with the city.
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I agree with Mr. Fink and Terra. I have been a supporter of the tribes having exclusive rights to gaming in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The establishment of gaming facilities has done a lot to improve the lot of tribe members and I have seen it first hand. But now, when they oppose iron mines in Wisconsin, copper-nickel mines in Minnesota, don’t honor agreements made years ago, I’m of the feeling the time has come to end their monopoly on gaming and give the tribes the right to compete on a level playing field. If their product works after private development enters the industry, then they stand to lose nothing. But now, they expect us to support their monopoly we gave to them while they protest our jobs (many of which tribe members would hold).
Never thought I would change my mind, but the tribes helped me do it.
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Bryan, I couldn’t agree more that Indians have learned to play the system, you have mastered the ability to get everything and give nothing. It’s really unfortunate to have you on here gloating about ripping off the City of Duluth, it reinforces most people’s thoughts about band members. And until natives develop a little pride, self respect, and consideration for whites and others, don’t call me a brother. Levi, you’re beyond help.
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This is the 21st Century, not the 19th. Learn how to cope with that or get out of Dodge. The casino and the city are co-dependent on each other. For the casino to claim that they don’t have to pay for city based services or property taxes is unrealistic and INSANE. Let the city deny making repairs to the flooded out streets that surround the casino now, and focus their repair efforts to other parts of the city that really NEED the repairs.
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Wars have consequences. If I’m not mistaken, the Natives didn’t win.
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I agree with you on the U.S. Government not holding up treaties. It was wrong and some corrections are taking shape now, far too late. It is for those reasons that I have supported exclusive gaming for the tribes, fishing and harvesting rights on former sovereign waters and because I’ve lived with American Indians my entire life and count many as my friends. But when the tribes start over-reaching by protesting the iron mines and copper-nickel mines and not living up to agreements formed in our lifetimes that I have changed my mind on exclusive gaming rights. I understand the mistrust of the white man going back generations, but I had hoped we had come to trust people in our generation. The tribes wish to re-live the 1800′s and carry forward an innate distrust from events of those days. Why can’t we just move forward while correcting the errors of the past? I am a pacifist and don’t wish to go back fighting over things that happened when my family was still in Europe.
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As I spoke, reparations of the past are being worked on. The tribe should be thankful and eternally grateful to Congressman Chip Cravaack for getting legislation passed in the U.S. House which awards the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe $28 million for past mis-deeds by the U.S. government. Oberstar didn’t get it done. So band members, I expect to see hundreds of Chip Cravaack campaign signs on roads leading to and on tribal lands this fall. Show your appreciation for his efforts on your behalf and please don’t take it for granted.
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Lemme see… after WWII, according to the Truman Library, the Marshall Plan was funded at $12.5 billion, which they say is the equivalent of $60 billion contemporary dollars… and then there was all of that military labor… hmmmmm.
Or you could cite WWI’s postwar measures, which are pretty easily summed up as “Pay me.”
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Yes, what we as a country did to the natives of this land was horrendous. But that was a different time, with different beliefs and ideologies.
Pretty much every single culture that has traveled to another land has done exactly what we did, take advantage of a naive culture. That does not make it right, but that also does not mean that we deserve some kind of revenge 200 years later.
I never tricked a native out of their land, I never tried to force them into a belief structure other than their own, I never disrespected their holy places. Neither did the city when it negotiated this agreement back in the ’70′s. The agreement may have favored the city more than the tribe liked, but the casino also caused the city more problems than they would have liked. It’s a give and take.
It’s not like the City is using the money from the Casino to make its government rich. It is using it to keep the streets and infrastructure functional so people will actually VISIT our town.
Doesn’t the Tribe know that if the city struggles, so does the Casino?
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I see the wisdom of your statement, I think, but will ask you this: would you give the same “don’t cry about the past” line to a Zionist? I mean, a lot of things happened to the Jewish people in the past, but why should anyone else be inconvenienced (to phrase it mildly) on their account?
I don’t know that you’re Pro-Israel in any sense, or a sense inconsistent to this, but I reckon that a lot of people who want to leave history to history only cite that principle when it suits their purposes.
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And by “a lot of people” I mean “moral cowards”.
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It’s not a “Don’t cry about the past” kinda thing, it’s more of a “don’t use emotions about past events to cloud your judgement in the future”.
There is no discounting the horrors that certain groups of people have experienced, and the Jewish community is one of the more recent recipients. But if every person who follows the Jewish faith used the holocaust as a reason to hate every person of German decent, no progress would be made. I understand this situation is different, but it is somewhat parallel.
There are only a few people left in this world who have actually dealt with the suffering of the Holocaust, those people should be given anything they want as they have suffered enough.
But their children have not, and should not expect special treatment.
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And here I was hoping for an argument…
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Sorry to disappoint.
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Well, my understanding is that both sides had lawyers that negotiated this contract and reviewed it before it was signed by both parties. It is a contract that was made in good faith, and should be honored.
The court that decided the contract was invalid even stated that while the Tribe is no longer responsible for continuing the terms of the contract, they are still required to pay the money that they were scheduled to pay prior to the ruling by the court.
Which they have not, according to my understanding.
So it sounds to me like someone is not playing by the rules, but it is not the city. The city did not cut water and sewer service, the city did not stop providing Police or Fire service to the Casino, the city has held up their end of the contract.
Granted, I am not aware of the inner workings of this situation, so if you have some other information I am open to discussion.
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FOCK you. It’s time to bury the hatchet, or stay at “war” forever. IMO, the City of Duluth right now has the edge with the flooding situation. Cut off the downtown casino, due to “safety concerns”. See……… the tribe and the city ARE intertwined and DEPENDENT ON EACH OTHER. Either BOTH WIN, or BOTH LOSE. This is the 21st Century, NOT the 19th.
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Bryan, sorry I couldn’t respond earlier, I was busy at work ensuring you and your Indian brothers are able to feed your kids, somebody’s got to pay taxes, right? And, if you were a proud man you would be ashamed to post that link, not proud of it. However, it does show where the native sense of entitlement comes from. Disgraceful.
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You weren’t doing anyting for me and my kids, I have a full time job (not on the Reservation/not for the tribe) that I’ve worked at for the past 14 years. I’ve worked all my life to include 14 years active duty in the US Air Force. No one, especially you Brian have ever given, or done anything for me. I pay the same taxes as you, receive no handouts, and love life. Oh by the way, in addition to my full time job, I also am a small business owner, I run a business on the side. So rest assured, you’re not taking care of me and my kids. I dare say, some of my tax money today will be paying to take care of some of my White Brothers and Sisters and their children and believe me, I’m proud and happy to do it. Hang in there my Brother, nothing you write here will stop me from caring and praying for you. God Bles You!
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Hey bac, the sovereign Indian nation should take care or their own, it would allow my sovereign nation to take care of a lot more of it’s own. I’m also curious to see where the sovereign tribes get their Internet connection?
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Driver has done her job well and our Mayor’s job is to fight for what he can, but these emotional and personal attacks only show the ignorance and xenophobia of the perpetrator. At this point this should just be about business; funny though how the anonymity of the internet allows some to show their true ignorance without fear of having to answer for it.
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I pay for it just like you…is there a problem with that?
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Bac and Brian are brothers…
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Thank you, Bryan. That’s a compliment, in my opinion!
I may be ‘fishbelly white’, but what’s right is right.
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Mine looks like a bowl of cottage cheese!
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Let the Indians take care of their own and be their own country. Build your own roads, hospitals, etc….take care of fire departments, police, etc. I am so sick of Indians getting so much for doing so little. Want to take care of “your people”…start doing it then and stop blaming the “white people”.
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White , Green, Purple, who cares? The fact is that a business that had an agreement with Duluth who decides not to pay what the contract states, the solution is simple. Give them 30 days to agree or cut the utilities to the building.
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So, if that business has stood up to the agreement, why is there an issue then? Show some class by the way, just because you disagree, there’s no need to name call (Rednecks)….
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Bac, are you really that damn dumb? Entities enter into mutually beneficial agreements, the tribe benefits by being able to operate in the City without benefit of tribal land and the City gets a cut, get it? Nobody hoodwinked anybody. The tribe is officially a bunch of low life squatters not paying their mortgage. If anyone has been hoodwinked it’s the City by the tribe and their federal big brother. Hey bac, what happens to a tenant that breaks a lease in your world? They get to live for free? Bryan, you actually seem wise enough to know right from wrong, yet, you choose to support the people doing wrong? Why is that? Does your racial allegiance blind your morals and better judgement? Do you break agreements and contracts in your small business?
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Come on Bryan, you just continue to prove my point. Do you need a court or 3rd party to tell you what is morally right? You can say with a straight face you don’t see the blatant bias at the federal level? And, you think the contract with the City should simply be forgotten and that the band has zero obligation to the City or it’s citizens? People used to operate on a handshake for crying out loud. Remind me to never do business with an Indian. Bahhagneeshig!
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You bring up a good point, why are there more non natives than natives working there? Is it the lack of motivation and work ethic in the natives, God knows there are plenty unemployed. Is it the education level of natives vs non natives? And all this with the ability to practice racism in the form of “Indian preference” hiring practices. I’m not being crappy, it’s a serious question?
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Brian: Don’t get into it with Bryan. Of course he is cognizant of the points you make, but I’ve seen this a hundred times in my life where someone like Bryan thinks he’s got a tiger by the tail and plays it for all it’s worth. Make your points, but don’t challenge Bryan. It feeds his motivation and he knows that the tribe ethically and morally should honor the original agreement with the city. Just because the BIA and the Department of Interior has subsequently ruled, yes the tribe can back out. Is it good business? No. But it is the way they choose to operate and it’s not going to change. Word to the wise, let the tribes conduct their economic development on their own lands and they are free to operate under BIA and DOI guidelines. Don’t ever think again about making the same mistake Duluth did. Watch the gaming issue between the Shakopee casino and the racetrack and 10 years from now see if everybody is happy. Sorry Bryan, but the track record doesn’t look good right now what with protesting Iron mines in northwestern Wisconsin and copper-nickel mines in northeastern Minnesota. How do the tribes expect to get any respect after all this?
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Why would the natives work when they get free money each year based on teh casino profits? The Shakopee Tribe gets over $100,000 per member each year once you hit age 18. Why work when you can live with this? Stop going to the Indian casinos and hit them where it will hurt!
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It is clear that the commentators here attempting to argue with bjon lack factual perspective (both historical and contractual) to develop opinions rooted in truth and instead are attempting to “play the race card” at every turn when their logic comes up short. Not having the chance to read all the comments bjon posted, but knowing his solid foundation in the facts surrounding this issue, I am disappointed to see so many of his comments censored due to lack of acceptance by other readers. However, in most cases where Native perspective poses the truth in opposition to public opinion this appears to be the consequence – censorship, ostracization or marginalization. It appears that Area Voices is continuing this trend. All of this said, it should be clear that the issues Native individuals and tribes face today are not only injustices dredged up from the past but continue in the 21st Century. Native individuals and tribes face disparity at every level despite being recipients of “hand outs” as has been stated in thie ridiculous string. I don’t have the space here to enumerate how ignorant those statements are. So, I am going to stick to this in response to the issue at hand: Tribes are sovereign Nations. Cities are not. Federal agencies are the only ones who are in a position to pass judgement on this issue between the City and the Tribe. The federal agencies have done this. There’s no favoritism. Do yourself a favor before you continue to spread ignorance, get educated and get real.
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Well then lyz, predicated on your premise, the contract between the city and the tribe is null and void. Therefore, the city has no obligation to allow a casino to operate in the city, since gaming in Minnesota is exclusively reserved for the Tribes. If this were a deal between friends, it could be worked out between the tribe and the city. But now you state, only the federal agency can negotiate for the tribe. If that remains your position, then the tribe no longer has a contract with the city and it is within the city’s rights to close the casino, since it is illegally placed outside tribal reservation lands, right?
I am not a gambler, it doesn’t affect me either way, I supported the exclusive rights to Minnesota Tribes to operate casinos in the state, the one in Duluth was a special arrangement since the land and the building was not reservation property. Under your logic, neither the tribe or the city were legally able to consummate a contract to build and operate a casino off reservation. Therefore, based on your positon, the tribe should begin closing up the casino, removing it’s equipment and return the building to the city for other legal appropriate uses.
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Again, it’s clear that the commentators here lack the historical and contractual facts to ascertain truth. Have you seen the original contract? Were you there at negotiations between the Band & the City? Have you educated yourself enough to have even a skeletal working knowledge of Indian Law as it pertains to this case? Honestly… It’s extremely complex. This is why there are lawyers, courts, high courts, etc put to the task of making these decisions. In regard to your statement, I don’t believe I wrote that only the feds can negotiate for the Tribe. I stated that only the federal agencies can pass judgement.
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Interesting perspective. I’m getting more involved in this issue than I care to but felt a dialogue would be good. Yes, I went to college too, paid my own way, took me many years since I had to go to night school and travel 65 miles each night twice a week for 5 years. I had two courses in Business Law, 1 at a junior college and the other at UMD. We were taught by Don Ireland that no contract exists if there is no consideration for both parties. For example, if a youngster stops in at the neighborhood store to buy a Hershey bar, the consideration offered by the store owner is the Hershey bar, the consideration offered by the youngster is the dime (though I suppose it would be a dollar today). That constituted a simple contract. It’s rather simple.
In the case of the city and the tribe regarding the casino, I can only rely on my memory going back to the days discussions began on the idea. Evidently, the city and the tribe entered into a contract which appears that the city would do what it took to get the Sears store designated as tribal land, their economic development department worked to build a parking ramp adjacent to the casino and they provided typical city services such as utilities, police protection and fire protection. On the part of the tribe, they provided the remodeling of the building into a casino, offered employment to all people who were qualified and put a ton of money into the project. They agreed with the city to provide a annual stipend that shared in the profits and everybody went on their merry way for years. There was consideration offered by the city, there was consideration offered by the tribe and under the Uniform Commercial Code, that constituted a contract.
Fast forward to today. Suddenly, consideration provided by one side of the contract is being withheld, rendering the contract null and void. The injured party (city) has two choices: walk away from the contract along with withdrawing their offer of consideration -or- to seek remedies in the court system. It doesn’t occur to me that any distinction was made between Indian law and U.S. law (common law from which the UCC was adopted). Otherwise, why did the casino and city function as partners for years in the venture.
Suddenly, the BIA and DOI come up with different rules which appears to the average person as unfair to the city, the tribe is unwilling to close the casino and move their equipment out of town and to the tribal lands. I may be missing something here, but even you must admit this doesn’t look good to the general public. I am of the belief if the tribe continued to honor the contract they entered into with the city, other than political pressure from the BIA or other tribes around the country, all this money business would go away and everyone could be happy, if they can swallow their egos.
That’s my best observation and I wish both parties well as they resolve this matter.
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Haha, well lyz, with your supreme intellect and matter of fact assertion of facts, I’m now a believer! Just kidding, your post is just more of the rhetoric, it’s a typical cop out, “it’s out of our hands, it’s a federal issue”, give me a break. Doing you think stereotypes are born of absolute fallacies, or do you think there might be some truth to them? Man, I have no idea why the general population thinks Indians have a poor me I was wronged now the white man must take care of me for life sense of entitlement? Just look at the posts above, all you Johnny and bac do is prove the stereotype. I don’t owe you anything, neither does society, I have my own family to take care of! Do ya get it? We have to honor a treaty from 200 years ago and you guys crap on a contract from 30 years ago and have the balls to sit here and justify it? Get a job.
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Brian. Thanks for recognizing my intellect…that’s very big of you. And I do have a job. In fact I have worked steady since I graduated from HS at the age of 15, in a variety of fields until I finished my masters degree. The last 15 years I have been able to educate people nationally & internationally about a variety of Native issues. I do so in an attempt to create a better understanding about our challenges living in a diverse society and help others recognize indigenous sovereignty & culture. In regard to the current discussion, I don’t believe I said “it’s out of our hands” but instead tried to point out the flaw in the opinion that there is a federal bias in favor of the Tribe’s position in this case.
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And yes, in my experience, stereotypes of a group of people are never born of an accurate assessment of that group’s attributes, behaviors, or perceived qualities. However, one’s use of stereotypes offers us some insight as to the commentator’s personal prejudice and bias. That prejudice and bias is often derived from lack of education about or meaningful interaction with individuals outside of one’s own immediate community.
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I agree with you on this Lyz, but we do have to understand that we are rather opaque to outsiders as well. Unfortunately, there are many examples of Native people behaving in exactly those ways that bolster the stereotype when they venture out beyond the borders of the reservation (and within as well). It’s sad that those examples overshadow the accomplishments of those of us that don’t fit the stereotypes, but they do. It’s up to us to overcome that by being good people and showing a better side to Native life. Those perceptions are really deep set, though, and it’s going to take lifetimes.
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Zavier: true, even though the battle seems like it’s uphill most of the time and not worth fighting. Most of us as Natives work hard to make it in this world, paying the same taxes, caring for the same people our White Brothers refer to here AND at the same time take care of them too. My prayer is that one day we get look past all of this and just live together, because they aren’t leaving and neither are we.
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1. There is no “lease”. The band isn’t “renting” that little patch of land down there. It’s owned by the reservation, fair and square, and it’s in trust with the feds. The city doesn’t have a leg to stand on. They can’t do a thing. The city doesn’t have the option of “kicking the indians out” and taking back the land. It’s not theirs to take back. True story.
2. The city and the tribe are not equals. The city is a municipality. The tribe is a quasi-sovereign nation, also called a “domestic dependent nation”. It holds a status similar to something like Puerto Rico, or American Samoa, or something like that. Perhaps another analogy might be that it’s like Andorra, or Monaco, or one of those countries. Technically sovereign, but in practice, dependent on the surrounding country.
3. And as we all learned in 10th grade social studies, Federal law trumps State (or lower) law. Not always, obviously, but in cases dealing with international, or even “quasi-international” issues, it generally does. This argument is as if the city had entered some international manufacturing agreement with Canada, and the federal government had somehow ceded a city block to Canada, and then the Canucks decided they didn’t want to pay the city’s exhorbitant fee per widget. There would be literally nothing the city could legally do, because the land was legally Canada, and therefore the city would have little recourse. They could perhaps blockade the entry and exit, maybe exert force in what way they could, perhaps cutting off sewer service?
4. Anyone who says they would willingly pay 19% of the gross revenue from their business to a “partner” who then did not have to share in any of the expense of running that business is a fool, not an ethical and moral paragon. The band signed an agreement with the city in the 80′s. Things changed over the years, and the laws changed. That happens. It would be pure stupidity and irresponsibility on the part of any business to continue in that sort of partnership when they had options. Businesses and governments break and revise contracts every day. There is no question of morality or ethics or anything here. There is just a matter of what is legal and what you can do to protect your own interests.
5. Don Ness is not a bad person, and neither is Karen Diver. They are adversaries in a dispute, and they are both doing what they need to do to protect their interests, and the interests of those that they represent.
6. Life is not fair. Some people and some groups get things in life that other people don’t. That’s just how it is. It’s not fair that some dude in Saudi Arabia just happened to be the leader of his tribe at the moment they discovered oil there, but that doesn’t change the fact that his great grandchildren are filthy rich and control 1/5 of the worlds oil. It’s also not fair that kids in the Sudan have to choose between dying of starvation or fighting for a militia and dying for nothing. We’re somewhere in between, aren’t we?
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Zavier: I couldn’t have said it better. Thank you for pointing out the obvious. I can’t wait to see what people have to say. I’ll hold my comments until then.
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Zavier, how is it the tribe can change the rules, through the Feds, or whoever, yet the US government must honor treaties from 200 years ago, nobody that signed them is even taking on oxygen? Why is the double standard ok? How can you fault hard working non Indians for being pissed at paying for this crap? The tribe just made 28 million on 130 year old timber sales, have you seen the state of this economy? NOBODY can afford that. Meanwhile, the tribe pays off a 120 million dollar casino, in what, 2 or 3 years? Finally, with the exception of lyz you all start out rubbing our faces in the injustice, now you’re all fine stewards of the Indian nation, merely educating the misinformed? Give it up.
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Wait, so now YOU are the victim? So now when the shoe is on the other foot, you think it’s a double standard? Huh, interesting. I’ve read things on this board that are incredibly disheartening. Is that comment about buying stock in bud light legit? How about your repeated insistence that Indians don’t have morals, or that they, as a blanket statement, lack a work ethic? That seems a pretty uncouth basis for an argument if you ask me. Is this how the people of Minnesota think in general. Do ALL the people of Minnesota believe as you do, or is it just the people of Carlton and St. Louis counties? When I was a kid, in the 80′s, I remember going to a store in the country, and seeing a sign on the door that read, “No Indians Allowed”. Very enlightened. Is that the brush that all white Minnesotans should be painted with? Your comments and attitude seem to indicate that I wouldn’t be far off to believe so. Personally, I don’t think that is the case. I also don’t believe that you are any more “hardworking” than the next guy, indian or not. But you take the low road, because it’s easy and cheap, and you focus on the worst parts of indian society, trying to use that to justify your resentment and hatred at people who you perceive to be getting something undeserved–something that you should be able to have, and can’t. Call it rubbing your face in it, but the fact remains that your argument is irrelevant. There is nothing you can do about it, except whine and rant on the internet like some impotent old man. Or you can go about your life, and understand that life is not fair. Life is a lot more complicated and nuanced than people like you think it is. It doesn’t for one second matter if you disapprove of me hunting in the ceded territory, or whether you think the city’s getting screwed over. As for the “racist” policy of Indian Preference, consider this: We own the company, collectively. We are shareholders in the company, and have the rights of shareholders. Imagine if you owned a company, and you chose to hire your son, or your brother, or your first cousin. Do you think that’s your right? Or should the government be able to tell you that you can’t hire your son, instead of some stranger, just because it’s not fair. What if he was part owner of the company? Do you think he should still have to be pushed aside for a position in the company so that some guy from Canada could take that job, just because it wouldn’t be fair to Canadians if you didn’t?
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See, that’s the difference, whites have rules, we HAVE to abide by. I can’t hire my son, I have to hire your “disadvantaged” ass, not the most qualified. Are you living in your closet? Your whole life ain’t fair, move on, is the whole point. Empower YOUR people to develop a work ethic and some pride and take care of themselves! Why do you keep dodging the double standard question, is that because you’re a lowly disadvantaged native? Have some pride man, take some responsibility in the outcome of your own life! Don’t depend on the teat of the white man, we have enough sucklers. Seriously, your comments make you look foolish and justify every reason I have no respect for “natives”. By the way, I was born right here, native, I just don’t get the handouts.
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Brian: If you own your own business, you CAN hire your own son, you don’t HAVE to hire one of us less qualified drunken Indians. You’re one of the small people who has to work for someone and you hate your job. Me, I have a job that I love, must be because of all those handouts I get on a daily basis.
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And, I would hang my head in shame if I had to depend on others to take care of mine, you and Johnny are proud to be taken care of. You two may be anomalies, but you’re not the norm, if you’re being honest. It’s sad, I know there’s no getting through to you, but you should evaluate how you’re representing natives. You’re proving every stereotype out there. I hope you give some of your free money to the zoo, FINALLY one of you would give instead of incessantly take.
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Which stereotypes are those? The one where the low down indians went to college on scholarships? The one where they got advanced degrees with a nearly perfect GPA? The one where they’re not the “drunken Indian” you seem to enjoy trumpeting about so much? Or is it the stereotype where they worked hard and got ahead, much to the chagrin of lazier and less fortunate whites? I bet it’s that one. Or is it the stereotype of where they found some ways to infringe on white privilege by banding together and pushing one another up? Ooh, I bet you hate that one, don’t you. The natural order of things is being disrupted in your mind, isn’t it? Tell me, do you place Hispanics above or below Indians in your heirarchy of “less than whites”. What about African Americans?
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Nobody’s dodging the double standard question at all. I’m embracing the double standard. I have many advantages that you don’t. I’ve gotten many things in life that you haven’t. Did I mention that Indians get free health care at the tribal clinic? We’ve already been over the scholarships business, right? Did I mention that we get $400 a month each in per capita payments from the casino profits. Some tribes get more than I make in a year in their monthly per capita payments. We have it pretty good nowadays, and that’s fine. I’m sorry you feel left out. I’m only slightly sorry that it chaps your backside so much that you have to go on the internet and spew racist remarks and generalizations. But that’s the whole point of it, isn’t it? Some of us take advantage of our advantages, and get ahead and win. Some of us don’t. I’m not a weak, passive indian, like so many, who have been beaten down by history. I’ll stand right in front of you, and say to your face, “tough darts” or some more colorful interpretation. I’ve paid the price of living in your enlightened and fair world, personally. I’ve paid the price of having to deal with a lifetime of bullies like you, and I don’t for one second feel the need to apologize for what I have, or for the gifts I’ve received because of my being an indian. Damn sure right it’s a double standard. Damn sure right Indians are getting things that you aren’t. As long as it’s available to me, I’ll continue to take advantage of it, and I’ll continue to use the resources that we have available to us so that I can get ahead and provide a better life for my own kids.
I suggest you quit worrying about all the crap you don’t get, pointing fingers at all of us who do have, and start taking advantage of whatever resource you DO have available to you. Whatever you say, it still doesn’t hurt anyone as much as it hurts you to be always looking outside, and scapegoating indians the cause of your anger. Doesn’t hurt me one bit.
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And that’s the beauty of it all, I’m a proud man, I have a brand new home, new cars, everything you have, but…. I earned it! I didn’t get free money, anywhere, the scholarships I got, I competed for and won. What a great feeling, I worked hard, excelled and won, it’s truly a great feeling, something you wouldn’t know. I’ve taught my son. 7 years old, if he works hard, he’ll succeed, and he will. I can imagine you telling your son, “as long as you stay out of jail, you’ll be taken care of”. My son will succeed and contribute to taking care of your son, as I am with your generation. My son will be as frustrated as I am, but he’ll be the better man. And frankly, I could give 2 craps what color anyone is, it’s that sense of entitlement you’ve made so clear that drives me nuts.
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I don’t care what color or race you are! Just don’t use it as a crutch, be a MAN, whether it’s white or native or black or orange MAN. Take care of yourselves and quit depending on others, honor your contracts, contribute to society, why is that so much to ask?
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I depend on no one, however I do depend on my Creator. I do take care of my own and some of yours too, as do you. So where’s the argument?
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Zavier and Jon, I’d have a beer(at the risk of being racist) or a coffee with either or both of you any time, I actually respect the both of you and lyz and would love a cordial, respectful discussion, I’m actually a pretty good guy.
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Brian: How can me make that happen, cause I know you’re a good guy.
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I ment we make it happen…
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Heading to bed, but when does it end? I guess that’s my ultimate question, when will we become a single society, one that works for every citizen versus differentiating between “natives and whites”? Is the status quo working? To me it’s driving us further apart…
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All fun and games with this discussion aside, I’m serious about helping out at the zoo. I have donated a few bucks, and I will be volunteering on the cleanup. Surely that’s something we can agree on. I’d be happy to continue this argument in person, over some hard work, and later some beers. Come on down to the zoo, and help out.
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And Brian, YOU are one of the main leaders.
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I agree with commenters who point out that the city is stuck with maintaining the surrounding streets, sending EMTs, sending cops. Cars with tribal license plates drive on state highways. It’s a simplistic answer, but part of me thinks the police should refuse to enter a foreign independent country. The fire department should spray water on surrounding structures in the event of a fire. I recognize that it’s not really that simple.
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So, I work a job, have all my life, I’m a vet of the US Air Force, I pay the same taxes as Brother Ben here, and he doesn’t want me to have the same protection he has. Well, all I can say is, “be glad your military hasn’t, doesn’t, and won’t respond to helping you in the way you’re suggesting.” What an attitude, do you really feel this way? I doubt it.
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