How Can Plot Machines Uplift A Nation

A history of struggle and isolation from the rest of society has led to the deterioration of Native American cultures and customs and to their rising levels of unemployment, poverty, and crime on reservations. The United States government has had a major role in the coming about of the struggles that persist for Native Americans to this day. As crime and poverty grip the Sioux tribe, they will continue to lose their traditional culture and move farther from who they once were as a people. I will first review how European explorers introduced alcohol to Native American tribes and how this lead to a strong prevalence of alcoholism in the Sioux tribe. Next I will discuss the U.S. government’s use of forced assimilation and boarding schools led to the loss of Native American culture and customs. This led to more anger of the Sioux tribe towards the U.S. government and to outer society as a whole. Third I will analyze the living conditions and complacency felt by the Sioux tribe as seen through the photographs and interviews conducted by journalist Aaron Huey. Lastly, I will assess the efforts taken by the elders and leaders of the Sioux tribe to combat the prevalence of crime on their reservation. The people of the United States and their government have caused many struggles for the Sioux tribe since their existence in America. For these problems to be resolved, the United States needs to take an active role in acknknwoldeging the problem and allocating the necessary resources

Although while some Native American Tribes may benefit financially because of the casinos, most have the worst standard of living in the United States.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), passed in 1988, gave Native American tribes in the United States permission to institute gambling and gaming facilities on their reservations. The reservations, however, were required to be located in states that already allowed legalized gambling. Many states and

Power can be viewed as the ability to influence and/or control others. Another flaw about reservations is the fact that they are not totally governed by Native American representatives. The U.S. government actually has tight control over the majority, if not all, reservations (Perry, 2002, p 233). This tight control has left the Native American population powerless in terms of self- regulation. Despite the fact that Native American government do exist,

Here in Michigan we have things like the Soaring Eagle casino in the lower peninsula to remind of us of the Native Americans, and the farther we go north the more refuges we can come across. In Michigan we even have towns and schools like Central Michigan University’s mascot is a the Chippewa named after tribes. I noticed most the Native American tribes are west of the Mississippi river while New York City is the most populated city with Native Americans according to Schaefer, Richard. T. (2015) Table. Largest of the tribes and reservations is the Navajo at the top of the list. Here in Michigan the Chippewa Indians are the largest Native American tribe. Chippewa Indians were one of the few tribes where the people were relocated rather than

Not until now did I realized that Native American Reservations have been suffering the side effects of poverty and unemployment. It is impossible to describe the many factors that have contributed to the challenges that American Indians face today, but many of the statistics and fact show how life is for many in reservations. The poverty in Native American Reservation can be described in no other form than third world. It is common to find people living under horrible living conditions and many vagabonds. Tribes have reported as high as 85% of Native Americans in reservations are unemployed.

Though the Indian Reservations were created so long ago, the quality of life has barely changed. It is extremely poor. So poor, in fact, that they are likened to developing countries. 60% of children are born out of wedlock and Native Americans are the third highest group in the country for teenage pregnancy. The suicide rate of Native American teenagers is three times that of the rest of America.

There are many ways Indian Gaming effects local and regional economies. It can be argued that it has been very beneficial. It can also be argued that it has been a detriment. Since 1988, when the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passed, it has been providing a means of income for the tribes that participate. Indian gaming is beneficial to tribes and surrounding communities because it creates economic stability for the tribes, provides well-paying jobs, and economic benefits for surrounding communities and the state.

In 1851, the United States Congress passed the Indian Appropriations Act, which authorized the creation of Indian reservations. These lands were given to Native Americans, including the Tribal Sovereignty law which prohibits the government from issuing laws on these selected areas, and gives the Native Americans full authority instead. But these laws have been broken without the resident’s knowledge of it. Government controlled mining areas and other resource farming techniques are performed with the tribal delegate’s permission (Alexandria 2). Most of these jobs are destructive to the environment and the creatures that dwell in nearby areas. Most of these jobs such as lumberjacking are

Mike Justice, a member of the Siletz tribe in Oregon, is jobless and lives with his recovering addict wife and son (The Economist, 2015). He could work at the tribe’s casino, but instead collects welfare payments and $1,200 yearly from the casino per capita payments (The Economist, 2015). The minimum wage he would make at the casino would barely pay for the transportation costs, since Justice has no vehicle, so he would rather not work and collect money (The Economist, 2015). This is a growing problem and a newer study in the American Indian Law Journal of 24 tribes in the Pacific North-West shows that growing casino revenues can actually make poverty worse as poverty rose from 25% to 29% from 2000 to 2010(The Economist, 2015). Of the 17 tribes in the study that paid directly to tribe members, poverty rose in ten of them (The Economist, 2015). Why the rise in poverty? One reason is the way the money is distributed. The more an individual is paid, the more he has the desire not to work (The Economist, 2015). Obesity, poor health, drug abuse, and alcoholism are already problems and without health insurance, from not working, these problems get much

Gambling has been around for quite some time. Initially outlawed, it became legal in 1931 and it has been an interesting road from there. The ringing of slot machines, winning at bingo or poker has become an addiction of sorts, to people of different races and cultures. And Native Americans have not been left out either.

Economic development is vital to address the unemployment rate on the Navajo Reservation. Gaming has become one the Navajo Nations successful enterprises and largest employers. It has created 1200 jobs, 83% are held by the Navajos. Gaming has invested in the cattle ranchers, Navajo owned subcontractors and contributed 7.4 million dollars to the reservation land. The National Congress of American Indians started the Native Financial Education Coalition expand and enhance financial capability in Native communities. Partner organizations include tribes, tribal organizations, national, regional, local Native and non-Native organizations, financial institutions, federal agencies, Congressional offices, and others interested in Native financial education.

Although no one is willing to admit it, some people treat Native Americans as lesser, more primitive beings. The government decides what happens to them, and the Native Americans have to live and be grateful for whatever is thrown their way. In the past, arguments between the states and Native American tribes have arose, only for the Native Americans to be paid off or completely ignored, allowing the states to do as they choose. In fact, something of such caliber has yet to be solved this year. Company after company has tried to unearth given land to place pipes, pump for oil, and mine for precious materials. The most Native Americans have nothing they can do other than stand by and watch as their sacred grounds are destroyed without a second thought. Even when a petition is created, the construction will only be postponed for a small while as a federal hearing is held discussing the matter. Sometimes, Native Americans win this battle, but other times what land they have left is destroyed. Most of the time, their land wasn’t even worth

A reemerging issue, that has once again surfaced in the town of Shabbona, Illinois, is the debate of whether the Potawatomi Nation tribe should build a casino in Shabbona. According to an article by Rhonda Gillespie, titled, DeKalb County, Potawatomi Nation tribe moving forward with casino plans, this issue has taken about a seven or eight year break and is now again becoming a hot topic (Gillespie). Shabbona has recently gone through an issue that was a hot debate. That issue was bringing in wind turbines onto farm ground. That issue was not miniscule and neither is this one. Even over the seven or eight year break there has been steady talk about whether the casino would be appropriate or the best thing for the small town of Shabbona. The

Adding to Native American casino fortunes, their casinos are likely to increase over the next few years. It is noted that several states are reaching agreements to allow the introduction or expansion of Native American casinos because of the additional revenues they can provide. This increases the Native American casinos opportunities and consitutes a high barrier for new entrants. The major source for this entry barrier is the cost disadvantage independent of scale regarding the favorable government polices vis -a -vis the Indian Gaming and Recration Act of 1988.