On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 11:01:44 -0700, Darren New wrote:

> Jim Henderson wrote:
>> Heh, well, don't get me started on the casino BS.  I think that's a
>> travesty myself - a bastardization of the heritage that's just nothing
>> more than crass commercialism/consumerism.
> 
> I think it's because of jurisdiction stuff. The reservations really
> legally aren't 100% part of the state they're in, so they don't always
> need to follow the same state laws.

Well, yes - but that's not the thing about it.  I grew up in Minnesota 
while the tribes there were getting their casinos established - as well 
as when there were "discussions" about allowing Native Americans rights 
for spear fishing.  We seemed really eager to have them start opening 
themed casinos, but not so eager on letting them practice their 
traditions as regards hunting.  I worked with a guy who was really 
involved in the spear fishing thing.  He was understandibly quite upset 
that his cultural heritage had been reduced to this: http://
www.mysticlake.com/ .

Because surely, that's what being a Native American is all about.

Jim

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