What does an Indian tribe do with $18 million of casino profit? Well, if you're one of the 390 members of the Kalispel nation you build a hospital. The Camas Center for Community Wellness is a sprawling 7700 square foot establishing on a tiny reservation along the Pend Oreille River in Northwest Washington. The Center was paid for with profits from the tribes Northern Quest Casino just outside of Spokane. With the Senate currently debating an Indian Health Bill, the time is right for Indian nations who can to demonstrate some of their self-determination. Don't wait for the feds to pass a new bill, if the casino profits are there, use them and rid yourself of the IHS. I understand that the federal government is responsible for medical care--the promise of many a broken treaty. However, in the current political climate Indian tribes are likely to be left on the outside of this new bill. Many conservative senators are opposing the entire bill based solely on a few partisan issues--abortion, for example.
Some tribes lack access to casino wealth. These tribes will be forced to live with the IHS or seek health care elsewhere--with 42 millions Americans lacking this possibility, what the chances? If the IHS is the last best hope in health care for many tribes then the Senate needs to fully fund the current bill. Those nations who can provide for themselves, likely should see this as an opportunity.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Indian Health Improvement Bill
President Bush has threatened to veto a bill that improve the medical care available to Indian people across the U.S. Doing so would be yet another miscarriage of justice. Five years ago, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights looked into the government's treaty obligations and found that the federal government was spending 50% less per capita on Indian health care than on felons in prisons and those on Medicaid.
A bipartisan bill to reshape the Indian Health Service is now under consideration in the Senate. Included in this bill are provisions for urban Indians (long neglected by federal agencies but accounting for 2/3 of the Indian population). Most urban Indians live much too far from IHS service centers to take advantage of them or, in some case, have been ruled ineligible for services. During the Bush years, the President has sought to cut the already underfunded Urban Indian Health Program. The current bill would address problems ranging from alcohol abuse, suicide, depression, diabetes, and heart disease.
The President claims that he wants to improve Indian health care! However, he has stated that much of the present bill is "objectionable," and has noted that the increase in funding for the Urban Indian Health Program would undercut other federally funded initiatives (read Medicare/Medicaid). Administration officials also see the construction of new clinics as tantamount to ear marks because it would force the federal government to pay construction workers prevailing wages--something they have been loathe to do even on the Gulf Coast!!
Since the signing of the first treaty with Indians, the U.S. has taken on the moral, legal, and ethical responsibility of caring for Indian people. In the past the nation has disregarded this sacred duty--that must end now! Congress must stand up for the rights of Indian people and pass the bill without thought of Bush's veto. Passed with a 2/3 majority, the Presidential veto would be meaningless, Congress MUST strengthen the IHS and send a clear message that they are on the side of righting centuries of injustice.
A bipartisan bill to reshape the Indian Health Service is now under consideration in the Senate. Included in this bill are provisions for urban Indians (long neglected by federal agencies but accounting for 2/3 of the Indian population). Most urban Indians live much too far from IHS service centers to take advantage of them or, in some case, have been ruled ineligible for services. During the Bush years, the President has sought to cut the already underfunded Urban Indian Health Program. The current bill would address problems ranging from alcohol abuse, suicide, depression, diabetes, and heart disease.
The President claims that he wants to improve Indian health care! However, he has stated that much of the present bill is "objectionable," and has noted that the increase in funding for the Urban Indian Health Program would undercut other federally funded initiatives (read Medicare/Medicaid). Administration officials also see the construction of new clinics as tantamount to ear marks because it would force the federal government to pay construction workers prevailing wages--something they have been loathe to do even on the Gulf Coast!!
Since the signing of the first treaty with Indians, the U.S. has taken on the moral, legal, and ethical responsibility of caring for Indian people. In the past the nation has disregarded this sacred duty--that must end now! Congress must stand up for the rights of Indian people and pass the bill without thought of Bush's veto. Passed with a 2/3 majority, the Presidential veto would be meaningless, Congress MUST strengthen the IHS and send a clear message that they are on the side of righting centuries of injustice.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Indian Education in Canada
Looks like the problems of Indian education aren't just the province of the US. Canada appears to have it's share as well this story came out of Toronto.
The First Nations School of Toronto suspended one-third of its elementary school this year when the entire third grade class failed to meet provincial standards in reading, writing, and math. The Toronto School Board has been meeting recently and discussing the establishment of similar schools for black children, Asian children, and other specific ethnic groups; the failures of the First Nations School come as a great shock. The First Nations School is composed of K-8 classes, but currently holds the distinction of being the worst school out of Toronto's 451 elementary schools. The suspension of 33% of the school was a measure taken by school officials to increase the scores of students of province-wide tests. However, last fall, the entire first grade class (77 students) scored at the lowest literacy levels. It appears that things won't be getting better for the school even with the suspensions. Perhaps it would be best to take a look at what is actually going on at the First Nations School rather than allowing the suspension of below average students to increase test scores!?
The First Nations School of Toronto suspended one-third of its elementary school this year when the entire third grade class failed to meet provincial standards in reading, writing, and math. The Toronto School Board has been meeting recently and discussing the establishment of similar schools for black children, Asian children, and other specific ethnic groups; the failures of the First Nations School come as a great shock. The First Nations School is composed of K-8 classes, but currently holds the distinction of being the worst school out of Toronto's 451 elementary schools. The suspension of 33% of the school was a measure taken by school officials to increase the scores of students of province-wide tests. However, last fall, the entire first grade class (77 students) scored at the lowest literacy levels. It appears that things won't be getting better for the school even with the suspensions. Perhaps it would be best to take a look at what is actually going on at the First Nations School rather than allowing the suspension of below average students to increase test scores!?
Monday, January 14, 2008
Comanche Moon
This isn't mine, but if you watched CBS' "Comanche Moon" this is for you.
The six-hour mini series began Sunday on CBS and is based on the Larry McMurtry novel by the same title. This review of the first night is telling!
The six-hour mini series began Sunday on CBS and is based on the Larry McMurtry novel by the same title. This review of the first night is telling!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Indians and the Cinema--Not the same old story
In the past, such Hollywood heavyweights as Marlon Brando, Richardo Montlebon, and other white actors have played American Indian characters. The most famous of these was Iron Eyes Cody who played the "crying Indian" in the anti-litter campaigns. Other Hollywood agencies have profited from the exploitation of Indian people--even when it was designed to "help" them--thanks for the help there Mr. Costner. That is now all about to change.
The world premiere of two American Indian short films screened at Paramount Studios as part of the first ever LA Skins Fest--a Native film festival. Both films, "Ancestors Eyes" written by Kalani Queypo and "Two Spirits, One Journey" by Shawn Imitates Dog, were the end result of the Southern California Indian Center's Creative Spirit Initiative, a week long film making program. The following is a link to the Center
http://www.indiancenter.org/pages/index.php
The face of Hollywood is about to change, and this time, I think, we can say it's for the better!
The world premiere of two American Indian short films screened at Paramount Studios as part of the first ever LA Skins Fest--a Native film festival. Both films, "Ancestors Eyes" written by Kalani Queypo and "Two Spirits, One Journey" by Shawn Imitates Dog, were the end result of the Southern California Indian Center's Creative Spirit Initiative, a week long film making program. The following is a link to the Center
http://www.indiancenter.org/pages/index.php
The face of Hollywood is about to change, and this time, I think, we can say it's for the better!
Monday, January 7, 2008
A Kansas City Casino?
Tribal owners of a downtown casino reported that they plan to open on January 10th. Recently, the states of Kansas and Missouri attempted to challenge the operation in court. The Attorney General of the State of Kansas filed a motion with the 10th Circut Court in Denver which asked the court to overturn an October decision that dismissed the federal suit against the casino. Members of the Wyandotte nation, the Oklahoma based tribe that controls the casino operation, has stated that until the tribe is notified by the federal courts, they will proceed with the grand opening. The casino and steakhouse is housed in a former Scottish Rite temple in the heart of Downtown Kansas City.
Other tribes have also attempted to open urban casinos in the area. The Kickapoo Nation and the Sac and Fox Nation recently attempted to work out a gaming compact with the state of Kansas to bring a Vegas-style gaming operation to a section of land along Intersate 70 just west of Kansas City. The state refused to negotiate the compact and the casino bid is currently on hold. With this new KC casino, the time is right for the Kansas tribes to try again.
Many forget that Kansas has an Indian population and that a a few tribes call the state home. States with larger populations receive more attention and federal dollars. Kansas Indians are left to find their own way--casinos would go a long way to increase the sovereignty of Kansas' Indian nations.
Other tribes have also attempted to open urban casinos in the area. The Kickapoo Nation and the Sac and Fox Nation recently attempted to work out a gaming compact with the state of Kansas to bring a Vegas-style gaming operation to a section of land along Intersate 70 just west of Kansas City. The state refused to negotiate the compact and the casino bid is currently on hold. With this new KC casino, the time is right for the Kansas tribes to try again.
Many forget that Kansas has an Indian population and that a a few tribes call the state home. States with larger populations receive more attention and federal dollars. Kansas Indians are left to find their own way--casinos would go a long way to increase the sovereignty of Kansas' Indian nations.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
But Will It Really Mean Anything?
Happy New Year. Here's a short story to follow at the start of the year.
Representative Dan Boren (D-Oklahoma) has introduced a resolution (H.J. Res. 68) to "acknowledge a long history of official depredations and ill-conceived policies by the United States Government regarding Indian tribes and offer an apology to all Native peoples on behalf of the United States."
While the sentiment is wonderful and timely, one has to wonder if this will actually amount to a policy change or whether it will be yet another empty piece of paper signed by Congress that has no or an ill-effect on Indian people.
Representative Dan Boren (D-Oklahoma) has introduced a resolution (H.J. Res. 68) to "acknowledge a long history of official depredations and ill-conceived policies by the United States Government regarding Indian tribes and offer an apology to all Native peoples on behalf of the United States."
While the sentiment is wonderful and timely, one has to wonder if this will actually amount to a policy change or whether it will be yet another empty piece of paper signed by Congress that has no or an ill-effect on Indian people.
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