After nearly two decades of fighting, the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island is closer to realizing its dream of opening a casino.

The debate started in the 1980s after the tribe won federal recognition. Traditional tribal members supported a casino but were opposed by members of the Christian faith. The factions battled off and on for much of the decade, with little movement on the gaming issues.

The push was renewed when the traditional group regained power in 1990. Within a few years, the tribe negotiated a casino deal and won court approval to open a Class III facility. But the tribe was stopped by former Sen. John Chafee (R), who inserted a rider that prohibited the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act from applying to the tribe.

The defeat put the tribe back to square one. In the meantime, tribal members watched as two tribes just over the border in Connecticut opened hugely successful casinos.

The tribe has since struck another gaming deal that was put on the November ballot. If is survives legal challenges and is approved by voters, tribal leaders and members say they will finally be able to take care of themselves. About 40 percent of the tribe is unemployed. Federal funds do not fulfill all the tribe's needs.

"A casino would secure their future as Narragansett Indians," says one tribal member.

Get the Story:
Part 5: Rules keep changing in Narragansetts' fight for casino (The Providence Journal 8/5)
Part 5: Casino dreams (The Providence Journal 8/5)
pwpwd

Relevant Links:
Narragansett Tribe - http://www.narragansett-tribe.org

Related Stories:
Series: Traditions keep Narragansett Tribe going (8/4)
One Nation, Two Worlds: Series on Narragansett Tribe (8/3)