Summary
Problems caused by increasing affluence is causing major issues for Tribes and their members.
Analysis
In my 10 plus years managing Native American casinos, I have seen the benefits that casinos have brought to Tribes and this has been well documented. However, there is an untold and often hidden truth about the problems that successful gaming tribes face, this is a big story and I applaud Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians’ Tribal Chief and CEO Marshal McKay for his willingness to discuss the issues. He says: “The demons of the past that have plagued his tribe…haunt them still: diabetes, substance abuse, fierce family feuds and chronic apathy.” They report that only three tribal members have finished high school since the casino money started rolling in. Leland Kinter says “Money ‘doesn't heal your wounds, it makes them worse’”. He goes on to say "If you have a million dollars you can have a huge bag (of methamphetamines) and you can kill yourself." These types of issues are very prevalent in Indian Country, it is a problem from California in the west to Connecticut in the east and from Minnesota in the north to Florida in the south and everywhere in between. If left unchecked, this may do what nothing has been able to do, destroy Tribes.
