Here’s an issue going on right now that’s relevant to my sporadic ongoing series on American Indian political issues.
You can listen to this recent broadcast of Native America Calling to get a sense of the issues. (And there are many: tribal borders, jurisdiction, and environmental impacts, to name a few.)
From the Native America Calling website:
More arrests have been made in South Dakota as tribal members continue to protest across the site where a hog farm is being built. The farm is being built near Yankton Sioux tribal lands and tribal members are concerned about potential air and water contamination. State troopers have arrested dozens of protestors for disorderly conduct. A group called the Yankton Sioux Tribe Head Start Concerned Parents filed a complaint in federal court to halt the project. Who will win out? Our guest is Oi Zephier (Yankton Sioux), a former tribal police officer for the Yankton Sioux Tribe.
I saw this and thought it might be relevant to this issue.
Thanks, Jesse!
Here’s an article that is also somewhat relevant. It’s about the Oglala Sioux this time and their attempts to fight the expansion of a uranium mine.
http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096417272
Many tribes have had to deal with actual or proposed uranium contamination. I plan to write more on this when I have time.
But back to your article, using casino money to buy back lands is one of the good uses of the money, I think.