"As a tribal member of the Three Affiliated Tribes, I understand how important casino funding can be. When my mother passed away, the funding put aside for funeral expenses was extremely helpful. The tribal college, along with the alcohol, gaming, elder and housing programs and the tribal government benefit from the gaming income.

Our reservation is one of those in isolated areas where the income sometimes matches the expenses, but the casino does provide jobs and programs.

Yet, as Judy Roy, councilwoman from Red Lake said Thursday, this is a temporary fix. That temporary fix should not become the culture of our great-great grandchildren, when they examine our history and ways years from now."

Get the Story:
DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: Casinos seem safe bet -- now (The Grand Forks Herald 1/8)

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