"Tribally-owned casinos are often the only bridge between American Indian and non-Indian communities.
But too many times, roadblocks on that bridge can leave tribes in the crosshairs of the dominant culture.
"When they clash, it often has to do with issues associated with gaming," said Marsha Kelly, a communications consultant in Minneapolis.
Kelly led a panel discussion - "Overcoming Racism in Your Indian Gaming Customers and Their Communities" - recently at an Indian gaming marketing conference at the Pechanga Casino and Resort near San Diego.
The conference was preceded by a media seminar in which I was a speaker and panelist.
Racial contempt toward Indians can be fueled when Indian families appear to be benefiting from casino profits, Kelly said.
Anthony R. Pico, former chairman for the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, provided opening remarks for the Native Voices media seminar.
Poor Indians definitely outnumber rich ones, he said. And more than 70 percent of tribal gaming revenue comes from just 15 percent of all tribal casinos.
He asked this question: "How do you suspect we are perceived by non-Indians?""
Get the Story:Jodi Rave: Natives not defined by tribal casinos (The Missoulian 9/29) Relevant Links:
Jodi Rave - http://www.missoulian.com/jodirave Related Stories:
Jodi Rave: Protecting indigenous rights (9/24)
Jodi Rave: UN votes for indigenous rights (9/14)
Jodi Rave: Indigenous rights declaration up for vote (9/13)
Jodi Rave: Women singers shine at powwow (9/10)
Jodi Rave: Hoop spreads healing across country (9/4)
Jodi Rave: Saving Private Ryan LeCompte, Lakota (8/27)
Jodi Rave: Indian Health Service inadequate (8/20)
Jodi Rave: Harvest Moon Ball promotes Native art (8/17)
Jodi Rave: Pueblo woman takes over Indian law center (8/15)
Jodi Rave: Project integrates science and culture (8/14)
Jodi Rave: Families reconnect during powwow season (8/13)
Jodi Rave: Native American Bank makes difference (8/9)
Jodi Rave: WOMAN challenge proves enlightening (8/6)
Jodi Rave: Youth show talent at Native Elite Sports camp (8/1)
Jodi Rave: Powwows pay tribute to veterans (7/30)
Jodi Rave: Sacred Hoop Journey inspires hope (7/26)
Jodi Rave: Native center at UM raises enough money (7/19)
Jodi Rave wins awards for columns and reporting (7/9)
Jodi Rave: Montana tribes at bottom of gaming scale (7/2)
Jodi Rave: Native women continue the challenge (06/18)
Jodi Rave: Graduates eager to make a difference (6/11)
Jodi Rave: Nez Perce homeland remains sacred (6/4)
Jodi Rave: Covering tribal disenrollments (5/30)
Jodi Rave: Paying respects to the departed (5/28)
Jodi Rave: Women of color need to work together (5/24)
Jodi Rave: Disenrollment and the national media (5/21)
Jodi Rave: Native women take up walking challenge (5/16)
Jodi Rave: Navajo family takes the WOMAN Challenge (5/14)
Jodi Rave: Basketball standout graduates from UM (5/14)
Jodi Rave: Native language programs struggle (5/8)
Jodi Rave: NARF delivers message with hip-hop (5/7)
Jodi Rave: Leadership in a multicultural age (4/30)
Jodi Rave: More Natives needed in journalism (4/20)
Jodi Rave: Probate reform changes 'devastating' (4/16)
Jodi Rave: Indian probate conference in Montana (3/30)
Jodi Rave: Native language preservation efforts (4/16)
Jodi Rave: Cobell calls for accountability (4/12)
Jodi Rave: Doctrine of Discovery and Indians (4/11)
Jodi Rave: Tribal colleges press for federal funds (4/6)
Jodi Rave: George Longfish never short on imagery (4/4)
Jodi Rave: Cobell calls trust offer 'insulting' (3/30)
Jodi Rave: Indian probate conference in Montana (3/30)
Jodi Rave: Lawmaker a symbol of Old West ignorance (3/26)
Jodi Rave: Res2007 highlights tribal economies (3/19)
Jodi Rave: Violence against Native women rising (03/12)
Jodi Rave: Violence against Native women rising (03/12)
Jodi Rave wins national fellowship award (03/06)
Jodi Rave: Natives find 'Voices' at Autry Museum (3/2)
Jodi Rave: Environmental racism expert in Montana (3/1)
Jodi Rave: Chippewa Cree artist honors heritage (2/28)
Jodi Rave: Nellie Two Bulls leaves strong legacy (2/22)
Jodi Rave: Count me among America's lawn freaks (2/20)
Jodi Rave: Tribes receive heating assistance (2/19)
Jodi Rave: Tex Hall leaves tribe with $100M-plus debt (2/12)
Jodi Rave: Meet your next Native American Idols (2/12)
Jodi Rave: Without funds, NAIHC fires half of staff (2/9)
Jodi Rave: Montana panel cuts Indian education budget (2/7)
Jodi Rave: Sharing the dance and harvest in Alaska (2/5)
Jodi Rave: Montana family preserves beading (1/30)
Jodi Rave: Navajo Nation to market scenic routes (1/22)
Jodi Rave: Native youth get turned onto reading (1/19)
Jodi Rave: Think tank aims to help Native students (1/16)
Jodi Rave: Winona LaDuke speaks in Montana (1/11)
Jodi Rave: Myers drops bid for 9th Circuit seat (1/11)
Jodi Rave: Interior mum on class action tribal suit (1/5)
Jodi Rave: Rep. Rehberg backs Indian committee (1/5)
Jodi Rave: Cobell sees hope for case in new year (1/2)
