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REAL DEAL
December 09, 2008
Maybe some of you that visit this website are not familiar with Native American
Indian Culture - We hope you'll read this article - Not only is it informative, but,inspiring, thanks.In centuries before any contact with the Europeans and Spanish, most Native American
Indians lived a peaceful existence. Archeologists and Ethnologists date back Indian
heritages beyond twelve thousand years.Most Native Indian aboriginal societies were structured to promote and enhance harmony
with values of respect and generosity, even though no written language was available. The
music, songs and dances created stories of life and have survived through the ages.History brought Native Indians in contact with other cultures and in turn manifested the
robbing of Indian lands and resources, for the good of progress. Our Ancestors paid the
greatest sacrifice in the protection of tribal sovereignty and self-governance.Eventually through Federal policies of tribal self-determination in the early 1970's and
following two decades later giving us tribal government gaming, enabling most Native
Nations to begin rebuilding our communities.US Supreme Court 1987 ruled Indian Tribes as sovereign governments that had the right to engage in gaming on tribal lands. Congress a year later enacted the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which created legal framework under which gambling could be conducted on Indian Lands.
This development strengthened tribal nations and diversified tribal economics into hotels
and casino's. Now, "We have come full circle". We have created jobs, revenues, and emerged
from throes of poverty and despair to an economic leader in the eyes of other ethnic groups,at
the same time keeping our culture, traditions and tribal languages alive.Unfortunately, media news about our economics and social progress is focused on tribal
gambling. We are perceived not as culturally rich people indigenous to this nation, but,
as casino operators and purveyors of gambling.This article hopefully will help to inform people that American Indian Tribes are not
corporations and businesses, but, sovereign governments with the same goals and
aspirations of all Americans, for safe and clean communities where our families can
grow and practice out traditions and native way of life.Revitalization of our cultural ways our ancestors spoke of is the "True Story" of social and
economic progress in Native America, and we are working hard to instill in our younger
generations our heritage.This is where our Ancestors have lived for thousands of years. Together we can meet and
overcome our mutual challenges, together we can make a difference, together we can
make history."We evolved as a Society of Teachers, Healers, Scientists, Artists and Traders".
Spoken by the Honorable Bobby L Barrett - Chairman of the Viejas Band Of Kumeyaay Indians.Good Luck at the tables -- We hope you enjoyed this article.
