Dec
19
2009
These days, federal recognition of tribal groups is always about gaming. Here's what we mean by that: Even if the tribal group is not motivated by gaming, outsiders will think it is. Indian gaming unquestionably has politicized federal recognition. We think that much of the politics surrounding federal recognition and Indian gaming results from lack of knowledge or understanding of how the federal acknowledgment process actually works. So, here are some basics on federal acknowledgment of Indian tribes.Archive - 2009
December 19th
December 18th
Off-Reservation Gaming 101
Dec
18
2009
With the pending Shinnecock Tribe's federal recognition in the news, we thought folks might appreciate the basics of "off-reservation" gaming.First, of course, is that common usage of the term "off-reservation gaming" usually means gaming on newly acquired lands. That is, people commonly say "off-reservation casino" to refer to any effort to open a gaming establishment on new lands. Often, those lands actually have some tie to the tribe's reservation, so the "off-reservation" part is something of a misnomer. "Gaming on newly acquired lands" is more accurate, but apparently it's too much of a mouthful for most people. With that little lecture on legal terminology out of the way, let's move on to some basic rules.
December 15th
Shinnecock Federal Tribal Recognition Likely
Dec
15
2009
The New York Times reports that the Shinnecock Indian Nation of Long Island has met the criteria for federal recognition, according to the Interior Department. The seven mandatory criteria for federal recognition are detailed in 25 C.F.R. § 83.7. Briefly, they are:- the group has been identified as an American Indian group on a "substantially continuous basis since 1900"
- a predominant portion of the group comprises a "distinct community" and has existed as such from historical times to the present
- the group has maintained autonomous "political influence or authority" over its members
- the group has membership criteria and governing processes in place
- the group's members are descended from an Indian tribe
December 11th
Indian Gaming Industry Report for 2009-2010 Released
Dec
11
2009
On Thursday, the latest edition of the Indian Gaming Industry Report was released. Authored by economist Alan Meister and published by Casino City Press, the annual Report is a well respected source for economic and financial information about the tribal gaming industry, much of which is not easily available from any other source. In particular, the Report provides information by state, while the National Indian Gaming Commission reports only by region. The Report also does a nice job of providing important information r December 9th
Will the Obama Administration Be Open to Off-Reservation Gaming?
Dec
9
2009
For some time now, experts and insiders have been predicting that the Interior Department under the Obama administration will remove at least some of the obstacles to so-called off-reservation gaming put in place under Bush. Steve and I have made a similar prediction, though we've said that we think a compromise is much more likely than sweeping reform. In other words, we expect there to be a lessening of restrictions on gaming on newly acquired lands, not a complete removal of those restrictions. Off-reservation gaming is a politically loaded issue, and we think it unlikely that either the executive or legislative branches will throw open the door to tribes to pursue gaming on newly acquired lands.December 2nd
Finance & Intrigue in Massachusetts, Continued . . .
Dec
2
2009
So, back to the recent announcement that the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has ditched investors Kerzner and Wolman, and has partnered with Arkana Limited of the Genting Group.REAC 1 Open House
Dec
2
2009
Just back from the presentations at today's open house for the REAC 1 building here on the University of North Dakota campus. The REAC 1 building is the first in the UND Research Foundation's Research Enterprise and Commercialization park. REAC 1 is the virtual home for Indian Gaming Now, and we were glad to join the other enterprises and companies in extolling the commercialization of academic research. And thanks to the UND Research Foundation for their support of Indian Gaming Now! 