"There are more than 100 reservations in California, amounting to something like 800 square miles — about half of 1% of the land that these tribes had to themselves 250 years ago. Yes, the Indians' acres these days hold more than 50 casinos and billions in annual revenues, but does that mean Native California owes some debt to Gov. Schwarzenegger as he scavenges for budget-balancing dollars?

Say you're Native American, living with a post-missionary legacy of lost land, forced relocations and busted treaties. Now you're affluent at last, with court-confirmed sovereignty and a deal with the governor specifying what your casino can do and what you owe the state. Then the state runs short of money, and somebody starts muttering about renegotiating. I'd be looking to hit somebody over the head with a history book.

The casino tribe leaders seem to be taking this in stride, focusing on concessions they might get from the state in return. But maybe, given all this history, it's no surprise that there are so few California tribes with scenic territory, trails and the inclination to share."

Get the Story:
Christopher Reynolds:: The point is, they are willing to share (The Los Angeles Times 2/24)
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