Indian Role Information

[Littledeer]

Posted by noZme:

If you are unfamiliar with the so called "Indian Role", here is a very short Newsweek article that illustrates some of the significance. & please note, those $$$ figures are 15 years old.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/124672?tid=relatedcl (http://www.newsweek.com/id/124672?tid=relatedcl)

[MissHolmes]

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award98/ienhtml/tribes.html

Geographic Location of American Indian Tribes

[MissHolmes]

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...7/ai_n15854632 (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4182/is_20051117/ai_n15854632)

Article about Native American issued car tags in Oklahoma.

[Kellee]

Littledeer ~

I am quite familiar with the Mdewakanton, referenced in the Newsweek article you attached, as a family member was involved in operation of Mystic Lake and Dakota Country casinos in Shakopee during the time referenced in the article. I am also familiar with gaming operations in the Cherokee and Muscogee Creek nations in Oklahoma.

While some tribes do pass along a portion of profits directly to enrolled members of their tribes, others do not. The Cherokee and Creek do not. Monies from gaming are used for tribal government operation, education, health care, and social program benefits for their members.

The benefits of having a roll number in this part of Oklahoma are primarily having the opportunity to qualify for health care, housing assistance, educational scholarships, etc.

ETA: Oklahoma Tribal Jurisdiction Map http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/hqdiv/p-r-div/maps/tribal/tribaljurisdictions.pdf

[Trino]

Littledeer ~

I am quite familiar with the Mdewakanton, referenced in the Newsweek article you attached, as a family member was involved in operation of Mystic Lake and Dakota Country casinos in Shakopee during the time referenced in the article. I am also familiar with gaming operations in the Cherokee and Muscogee Creek nations in Oklahoma.

While some tribes do pass along a portion of profits directly to enrolled members of their tribes, others do not. The Cherokee and Creek do not. Monies from gaming are used for tribal government operation, education, health care, and social program benefits for their members.

The benefits of having a roll number in this part of Oklahoma are primarily having the opportunity to qualify for health care, housing assistance, educational scholarships, etc.

ETA: Oklahoma Tribal Jurisdiction Map http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/hqdiv/p-r-div/maps/tribal/tribaljurisdictions.pdf

While NA tribes function as independent nations, i.e.e treaties with the US Government, they also have full US citizenship. However, when it comes to gambling, each state has different agreements with tribes. MN does not require tribes to pay state taxes, which accounts for huge profits. Also, Mystic Lake and Treasure Island are based near the Twin Cities, so have good attendance. However, MN tribes further north (Nett Lake, for example) are off the beaten path and have no such profits. Yes, Shakopee (Mystic Lake) has lots of $ and few members who share this wealth.

However, I think it's important to remember that the POI is described as possibly MIXED, if I correctly recall. AND, please remember that any and all NA's can always live off the rez (tribal land). For example, Minneapolis has more NA living there than on tribal lands. Many NA also go back and forth as to residence.

[SeekingJana]

I know one thing- at least one of the Native American owned casinos in OK are stealing money from out of state players.
People from the Dallas area, mostly senior citizens, have been going to this one casino in OK just over the state line called Winstar by bus for a long time. It' a big deal to them.
Lately, Winstar has claimed to be managed by an outside management firm. When someone wins, and goes to cash out, the casino management tells them that they will put the winnings on a tab for them to come back and play another day. Some people have insisted on getting their winnings and have been thrown out and barred from returning.

Of course, with the law of averages being what it is, those who do go back expecting to have their money from the first trip + more won on the second, usually lose to the house.
I think it's a terrible scam of mostly older people.

[Kellee]

While NA tribes function as independent nations, i.e.e treaties with the US Government, they also have full US citizenship. However, when it comes to gambling, each state has different agreements with tribes. MN does not require tribes to pay state taxes, which accounts for huge profits. Also, Mystic Lake and Treasure Island are based near the Twin Cities, so have good attendance. However, MN tribes further north (Nett Lake, for example) are off the beaten path and have no such profits. Yes, Shakopee (Mystic Lake) has lots of $ and few members who share this wealth.

However, I think it's important to remember that the POI is described as possibly MIXED, if I correctly recall. AND, please remember that any and all NA's can always live off the rez (tribal land). For example, Minneapolis has more NA living there than on tribal lands. Many NA also go back and forth as to residence.

Trino ~

All you stated above is true; however, there was some speculation that one of the girls may have been targeted because she was supposedly in the process of obtaining a roll number. I have no idea what tribal affiliation she was seeking, but if it were one of the larger tribes in Oklahoma it would seem a poor reason for murder.

Also, it is important to know that Oklahoma has no designated reservations. Each tribe operates within the geographical area of its original reservation boundaries. The Osage Nation tribal land is still unofficially referred to as a reservation but it is not a 'traditional' reservation such as those in other parts of the country. Now, there ARE communities that are primarily NA and some NAs do still reside on allotted land handed down through generations, therefore, tribal police are often cross-deputized within counties to avoid any jurisdictional issues with arrests.