SUMMER 2002

EDITORIAL

Pride and Prejudice

By Matt Connor

There is a group of state officials in Missouri who are quite proud of themselves. They're very proud that they have consistently worked against the rights of the Native Americans who reside within their borders. They're very proud of the battles they've fought to prevent these peoples from having their historical and cultural identities affirmed by the U.S. government. They're very proud that they've kept these Indians from acquiring the tools they need to improve their educational and health care systems.

One of these state officials is Attorney General Jay Nixon. "Let's not kid ourselves," Nixon told the local media. "Missouri is a prime target for the expansion of Indian gaming, and I will fight to prevent this expansion."

Another is Sen. Christopher Bond (R-Mo.), who, referring to previous efforts to stop tribes from achieving federal recognition or acquiring land, said, "We've been successful in the past and we'll fight to be successful in the future."

There are currently eight Indian tribes in Missouri seeking federal recognition. Most have said they aren't interested in gaming. But that doesn't sway those morally high-minded state officials. No, they see hidden dangers everywhere. Not dangers to tribes themselves, of course, who have been living in the margins of Missouri society for centuries already. Who cares about them? No, they see dangers to their own beloved gaming industry. The unrecognized tribes in their state may say they're not interested in gaming, but who's to say they won't change their minds later? 

Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, tribes can negotiate compacts for whatever types of gaming are already permitted within state borders. Currently Missouri has just about every form of casino gaming you can imagine, as long as it is confined to within 1,000 feet of the main edge of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Last I heard there were about 25 casinos in the state, and my how the state officials adore the tax dollars - nearly $1 billion since 1994 - that flow into state coffers as a result of all that state-sanctioned acquisitiveness along the noble Missouri waterways.

What all this means is that, should a tribe in Missouri achieve federal recognition, and if it were to win a land-trust bid process to establish a reservation, and if it decided to pursue gaming, and if it successfully negotiated a compact with the (anti-Indian gaming) governor, then said tribe would be able to open a casino featuring all of the various games - including slots - already offered in Missouri riverboat casinos. But an Indian casino most likely would not be confined to within 1,000 feet of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. With a clear geographic advantage over their non-Indian competitors, Indian casinos in Missouri might actually be able to generate some funds for infrastructure improvements, elder care centers, college scholarship programs, housing and myriad other reservation programs.

But state officials in Missouri are against all that, too.

They're very proud of themselves for their brave stands against Indian gaming.

They should be ashamed.

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