Brief history of the Santee struggle
Shortly after the casino opened in February of 1996, the Justice Department became involved and sued the tribe charging that the machines they were operating were illegal. A federal judge imposed a $3,000-a-day levy, and then upped it to $6,000. In no time, the tribe owed more than $1 million. Meanwhile, the Justice Department began seizing the tribe’s bank accounts. The National Indian Gaming Commission advised the tribe to install pseudo slot machines, like those used by the Seminoles of Florida, to get around the Class III controversy. The tribe complied. The Justice Department sued again charging that the games NIGC had recommended were also illegal. A federal judge in Omaha, Neb., disagreed and sided with the Santee and the NIGC. But the Justice Department appealed the ruling and dispatched a squad of high powered litigators who prosecute organized crime kingpins to argue the case. In August of 1999, the Santee Sioux prepared themselves in a spirit of solidarity and went to the federal courthouse in Omaha ready to face jail. Their slogan “Tribal Sovereignty is non-negotiable.”
Tribal members share their story
Kenny Chapman who was on tribal council during that time said, “I was kind of hesitant when they said those of you who want to go to court tomorrow stand up. The women on our council stood up. They did it, so it gave me the strength to stand up.” He said he was thankful for Santee Tribal Attorney Conly J. Schulte who fought alongside them during their turbulent struggle against the United States Government and helped keep them out of jail. Chapman said he looks forward to the time when the tribe can expand their business ventures to include a hotel and Class III gaming. “I hope that the new casino that we are trying to build will increase the employment not only for the Santee Sioux people but for other people in this area. When we can employ 2,000 people in a new casino/hotel, it will give us a chance to do something regarding Class III gaming so the money can stay here in Nebraska. Because there is a lot of people going into South Dakota and neighboring states to spend their money on gaming,” he said. Diane LaPointe who served as tribal secretary said she is proud to have shared that part of her tribe’s history, “I never thought about going to jail because in my heart I knew it was the right thing to do because of our employment. What little jobs we did have, people were fighting for. So I was ready to sacrifice that. I am really proud of what we have today because without being willing to make that sacrifice we wouldn’t have what we have today.” She said she knew she had to make the sacrifice for the younger generation and that if you looked around the casino, “pretty much the people who are running this casino are our younger people. So I am really thankful we did what we had to do. I am glad that I was a part of that.” Karen Red Owl who also served on tribal council when they faced going to jail said she could honestly admit that there had only been two times in her life that her legs almost gave out on her and they were both council related. “One was that council meeting and the other was walking into that district courtroom. Until that point I wasn’t really worried about going to jail until I saw the armed guards and the sheriff’s deputies. Then it kind of hit home, they aren’t messing around. They are going to do something to us. It was really nice to look up and see the people that came by bus to support us. I was one of the first ones who had to go up there and testify and I learned real fast how to say ‘I plead the fifth,’” she said. Rick Thomas who was also on tribal council during that time said he could really feel the solidarity of the people during that turbulent time and has a lot of respect for the tribal leaders who led the fight. He said when they were in the district courtroom facing the federal prosecution, “that judge slammed that hammer down he turned around and looked at that U.S. attorney and said, ‘What you want us to do, lock up the whole damn tribe? Court dismissed.’” The feds appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, but they refused to hear the case. As a gesture of appreciation for “standing with the nation” all the guests of honor were gifted with the beautiful satin star quilts that graced the walls of the Ohiya Bingo Hall. Guests honored were Oglala Sioux Tribal Judge Saunie Kay Wilson, Rick Thomas, Karen Red Owl, Diane LaPointe, Attorney Conly Shulte, Winnebago Chairman John Blackhawk, Santee Sioux Tribal Chairman Roger Trudell and Butch Denny. Also honored but not present was Omaha Tribal Chairman Amen Sheridan. “I want to personally say to you, Pidamaya because without your kind of leadership, we would not have anything. But you held it, you had the vision, you had the perseverance,” Thelma Thomas said. “I want to thank all of you, it was my honor.” All present were treated to a delectable dinner prepared by the staff of Ohiya restaurant of roast beef, chicken, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, veggies, a dinner roll as well as all the Valentine’s day treats. The casino staff also gifted everyone in attendance with Ohiya Casino T-shirts, caps and mugs. (Contact Ernestine Chasing Hawk at managingeditor@nsweekly.com)
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