"The Cherokee can rightly be proud about their sovereignty, which allowed them to negotiate with the state of North Carolina to build a casino on their reservation. Like Indian tribes nationwide, the Cherokee made a good bet that legalized gambling would prove economically beneficial not only for themselves, but for their neighbors.

Drawing 3.5 million visitors annually in good times, Harrah's hit a jackpot in WNC, raking in some $1.6 billion in the past 10 years while providing around 1,700 jobs. Now the tribe is spending $633 million in an expansion to be completed by 2013, adding a third tower doubling the number of hotel rooms to more than 1,000 and creating the state's largest hotel. Principal Chief Michell Hicks envisions that investment turning Cherokee into a premier world attraction, drawing even more visitors and dollars.

The Cherokee have proved themselves capable stewards of the casino's rewards. With annual payments of around $9,000 going to the tribe's 14,000 registered members out of the casino's proceeds, the Cherokee have been able to make headway against poverty and disease while helping to protect and preserve their ancient culture and arts. The other half of the payout from Harrah's goes to run the tribal government, as well as funding for the Cherokee Preservation Foundation.

The foundation has not only awarded grants to promote basketweaving and woodcarving and keep Cherokee fluent in their own ancient language. It has also looked to the future, funding projects to bring the tribe into the 21st century with green initiatives, powerful broadband network and start-up support for entrepreneurs. Since 2002, the foundation has awarded $48 million to 621 projects on the reservation and the surrounding region. Each grant leverages other funding for an estimated $130 million economic impact throughout Haywood, Swain, Graham, Macon, Jackson, Clay and Cherokee counties."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Cherokee using newfound wealth toward wise outcomes (The Asheville Citizen-Times 6/9)

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