http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090128/ap_on_go_co/stimulus_american_indians;_ylt=AvD8UgaG7ZsGXIbtOWa 2mSwDW7oF


WASHINGTON – American Indians stand to gain almost $3 billion as part of the economic stimulus moving through Congress, money that could help some of the nation's poorest communities rebuild roads, improve health care and boost employment that has lagged behind the rest of the country for decades.


Probably a long time coming....

There better not be 1 penny of that money slated for the Eastern Band of Cherokees in NC or I will go apeshit. Since the casino came in 1997 the indian reservation and people have reaped major returns. They get quarterly percap checks ranging from 3-8k, quarterly! They pay no state taxes, have free health care and education and most don't even work now they just live off their percap.

However, there are some tribes that are in need and I hope this finds its' way to them. The Eastern Band of Cherokees however are sellouts and there are even a few millonaires now b/c they've built new hotels and other businesses. Every time I go home I am sickened to see such a beautiful place grow so rapidly :( But, I'll stop now b/c I could go on and on about this crap.

Probably prop up there casinos as well, I don't think the ones in Northern Wisconsin are doing so well with the economy being down. Casinos should be closed.

Probably prop up there casinos as well, I don't think the ones in Northern Wisconsin are doing so well with the economy being down. Casinos should be closed.

My son (Barlow Hemingway) is a supervisor for the Horse Track/Casino here in Forest Lake, which is the second state owned one in Minnesota. He said that while they have had to cut back some, the three commodities that will still make money in an economic downturn are alcohol, tobacco and gambling.


But to Fildien's point, I also hope that when monies are disbursed they are not an equal share across the board to the tribes, but are more properly allotted due to need. For many tribes this is definitely a major need, and I applaud the hand-up being given, finally.

Definately could be good if it goes to the right tribes.

Perhaps they should stop sending money out to everyone every month and put the money into fixing things they need. Might buy less fire water and more services. At least for the Yakima Nation out here.

Perhaps they should stop sending money out to everyone every month and put the money into fixing things they need. Might buy less fire water and more services. At least for the Yakima Nation out here.

Disbursement of casino profits is handled differently by every Tribe, I am pretty sure. I know one of the Tribes here in Minnesota has done a lot to improve the reservation, along with spreading the wealth to registered members of the Tribe. Others, not so much on the infrastructure.

Only recently has the tribe made moves to change disbursement of funds to the younger indians. Now they HAVE to graduate high school to get thier "indian money". It is held for them in trust. If they drop out of school they have to wait till their 21 now. This is new though and coming 2nd hand from my mom so who knows.

I do know the tribe has bought a good chunk of land off the reservation and made some deal with the county and state to make it official "reservation land" going so much as to allow the indian police to patrol to it off the reservation. And they are building another high school (the one they have was built in the late 70s/early 80s and was 10x better than the white school down the road). However b/c their drop out rate is insane they are going to combine K-12 in the same school to justify the cost. Anyway, getting off this wagon sorry... :D The casino actually employs most of my family and friends so it serves some purpose I just see it as an evil =\