TITLE: Native American Gaming Issue
Release # 006 {2870} April 17, 1996
DENVER (UMNS) -- Gambling, is it a "menace to society," as stated in the United Methodist Book of Discipline or "economic development" as claimed by the growing number of Native American tribes venturing into the casino industry?
These issues were brought before an open forum here April 17 by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society and a group of Native American United Methodists to inform voting members of the denomination's 1996 General Conference about the complex issues surrounding gaming.
The dialogue stems from legislation coming from the Washington-based social action agency to strengthen the anti- gambling movement.
Discussion during the forum centered around Native American sovereignty -- a tribe's right to decide for the good of its members. According to many Native American leaders, it is unfair for the church to condemn gambling as a form of economic development without offering an alternate means of bringing in revenue.
"Those of us who support Native American sovereignty and anti- gambling must urge the church to enter into partnership with Native American nations to explore economic development
alternatives," said the Rev. Thom White Wolf Fassett, the board's top staff executive.According to the Rev. Alvin Deer, a pastor in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, society is making it difficult for tribes to find other means of support.
"Every time Native Americans threaten to become economically independent, society comes up with laws and provisions that say we want you to stay dependent," Deer said. "We are not dealing with a society that really wants Native Americans to be self- sufficient."
The anti-gambling movement, supported by many United
Methodists, made a major advance last year when the National Coalition Against Legalized Gaming opened an office at the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill.The main focus of the office is to establish a national commission to investigate legalized gambling's economic impact on cities, its alleged ties to organized crime and the political influence the gaming industry wields through political campaign contributions.
In addition, the Board of Church and Society is launching an "Enough is Enough" campaign to educate people about the moral implications of legalized gaming. The board also is scheduling a consultation with United Methodist Native Americans in December to discuss the gaming issue and alternative forms of economic
development further.-- Ginny Underwood
If you need to know how to get more information about this story, call InfoServ at 1-800/251-8140.