The Native American Press (Bemidji, Minnesota), 1993-02-05

              Inspector General Richards Comments On
Investigations
By Mel Rasmussen
else, the BIA is it...Now that the
Commission is in business, there are
some reports that are required by law,
mainly in class II. So we'll get more
openness and information. But the
tribes are very sensitive about some of
the information in these reports like
there profits and their revenues and
things like that. It remains to be seen
whether or not the full implementation
ofthe Indian Gaming Act will bring
a lot more information to the public.
Richards was asked if there
appeared to be a saturation point in
the Casino growth. He stated that in
1991 there were in excess of 2 billion
dollars made. In the Minneapolis Area
Office responsibility in 1992 these
facilities alone had over 2 billion
dollars in revenue. Indian Gaming is
gaming commission and what would
be their direction in the future.
Mr. James Richards, Inspector Richards stated that he wanted people
General fofthe Department of Interior, to read the report and judge for
was surprised by some ofthe comments themselves about its accuracy. He felt
made during the last conference put that MIGA's statements were
on by the Minnesota Indian Gaining incorrect. In response to the actions
Association (MIGA). According to ofthe Federal Gaming Commission
Richards several reporters have he stated that they have finally
contacted him about the comments published the regulation in the federal
made about the IG report and its register and after February 22nd they
alleged incorrectness about Minnesota will be officially open for business,
gaming issues. According to Richards they will
Richards felt that it was important have some staff on board. They will
to recognize the economic opportunity have about 12 to 14 people to start
ofthe tribe and to protect that right as with and will eventually grow to 24 to
it is guaranteed by law. Richards 25 people. When asked if this was
stated, "You have to be careful when enough staff to deal with the issues,
you talk about Indian Gaming in order, Richards stated, "Well, I'm unsure
because it is a great economic how to answer that. Do you realize
opportunity for some tribes, so you that there is no standing regulation by   burgeoning and there doesn't seem to
have to be careful so that you infer that the Gaming Commission as to Class  ,be any peaking."
there should not be Indian gaining III gambling. Basically the only  ; One ofthe areas of concern that was
after all it says there should be. So regulation is in the negotiated tribe by   seen was in the shortage of staffing
basically whatwe wanttodoispromote tribe and state by state compacts as to   for the investigative phase. According
the law, but to do it in a way where the whether there should be any state
tribe has the best opportunity to take laws to that extent. Basically all the
advantage    of   this   economic Commission is regulating frankly is
opportunity and not get ripped off by the class II bingo. I think the people
operators who have their own needs in need to understand that. There's a
mind rather than the tribes. There are dichotomy in the regulation and that
a lot of them floating around out there and the Class II is being regulated by
as you know...They are springing  the Commission and the Class III is
almost like mushrooms in the middle not."
of the night. Some of them are really      Richards was asked if he thought
just basically rip off artists." that Congress would revisit the Act?
According to Richard's these He said, "I don't know. Congress is
management groups are growing in saying that maybe we have to look at
numbers and he stated it this way. "I this again. But you know if they open
wouldn't put a number on it. Every it up that this will be such a
time we turn around my staff tells me controversial gut wrenching process
• Inspector General Talks About Indian Gaming
Jim Northrup Educates Bemiji Students
GLIFWC Announces Meeting On Strip Mining
Indian Health Board Co-hosts HIV/AIDS Conference
St. Paul American Indian Center Going Broke
• Maynard Swan Discusses Treaty Rights Issues
NAP Agrees With Wellstone Endorsement In Its Editorial
to Richards he sent one investigator
to the Minneapolis region, however
he has just over 40 investigators. 10
% who are in the territories such as
the Virgin Islands and Guam. He
stated, "Basically we arefairly mobile.
We can mobilize about 50% of our
force for an investigation when we
see criminal activities." He stated that
he had investigator in Oklahoma,
South Dakota and in Billings, so they
are spread kind of thin." Richards
went on to state that his investigator
is not alone in this investigation. "We
have got a lot of intelligence coming
through the U.S. Attorneys taskforce.
The
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that there is management, bingo When they passed it in 1988 many of  That's one ofthe reasons tfuu we put
management or casino management,  the tribes opposed the legislation
groups out there sniffing around, because they didn't want to have to
Trying to get the tribes to sign up with deal with the states and then of course
them. Some of them are even offering there were other interests that I hear
bonuses, rather large bonuses, to sign about. The Las Vegas and New Jersey
up with them. And usually tribes are interests were heavily involved. So
anxious for the money. They don't do what  you   have   is   the   grand
a background investigation or don't compromise here in the legislation.
have one done for them and therefore Creating the commission  and
they don't know who they are doing regulatory authority. So this is one of  cooperation   with   the   federal
business with and that stinks." the things that Congress would have   government on this matter."
The IG was asked about his view of to consider if they open it up again,
the new Secretary of the Interior When asked about the BIA's
Babbitt and if he will take a stand on involvement and what there role will
dealing with the BIA and the gaming be he said, "This is the agency that
issue. He stated, "I would think he everybody wants to hate. You can't
would, I haven't had a chance to talk live with them and you can't live
directly to him about it but he did without them. The Secretary has to
speak about Indian Gaming in his have an arm to regulate the Trust and
response at his confirmation hearing."   responsibility. I'm not sure the BIA is
Richards was asked about the report all that efficient in doing that, however
and the actions or inactions of the until somebody invents something
our agent out there to work in linkage
with the taskforce as well. So there is
a lot of good extensive intelligence. It
is a informal taskforce, but all ofthe
federal and state gaming commissions
are contributing to it. There has been
good cooperation with the
investigative arm ofthe state gaming
commission.. There isa good sense of
Richards felt that there will be more
changes in the wind with the ongoing investigation. He felt that it
was important that the Tribe's receive
theirduesharein the gaming industry.
His main point was to ensure the
rights and protections built into the
Act were adhered to by all individuals.
Hopefully with time the problems that
have plagued this new industry will
be corrected.
Photo By Gary Blair
Al Whiting, New Program Director For United Nations CD Program
New CD Program Opens In Metro Area
Indian Health Board To Co-host HIV/AIDS
Conference
By Mel Rasmussen
Rene Whiterabbit ofthe Indian Health
Board announced today that a Regional
PublicPolicy Conferenceon HIV/AIDS
will convene in Minneapolis next week.
The purposeofthe meeting isto continue
the development of recommendations
for President Clinton's Transition Team.
According to Whiterabbit members of
the President's Transition Team will be
in attendance at this conference.
In a press release Whiterabbit stated
that the election of Bill Clinton as
President creates an important
opportunity for all communities affected
by AIDS to develop and implement an
agenda that addresses a new federal
response to the AIDS epidemic. The
needs of Midwest persons living with
HIV and those at risk of transmission
have not been a part of this agenda. A
revised national agenda can inform both
the federal government and national
AIDS organizations about the needs
and priorities of people with AIDS and
the community-basedorganizations that
serve themand provide AIDS prevention
education. A national AIDS agenda,
developed by the affected communities
across this country, can also serve as a
foundation upon which to build a
grassroots advocacy campaign to ensure
that the needs articulated are
implemented by both the Clinton
Administration and Congress.
In an effort to begin this discussion,
various national organizations have
developed recommendations for
President Clinton's Transition Team.
These documents are only the fi rst step.
Representatives from several national
organizations are sponsoring over 20
Regional meetings across the United
States between now and the end of
February. The organizations involved
are: AIDS Action Council (AAC), the
National Minority AIDS Council
(NMAC), the National Association of
People with AIDS (NAPWA), the
National Task Force on AIDS
Prevention (NFTAP), AIDS National
Interfaith Network (ANIN), Gay Men's
Health Crisis (GMHC) and AIDS
Project Los Angeles (APLA).
A regional meeting has been scheduled
for Friday, February 12, 1993, in
Minneapolis   at   the   Plymouth
Congregational Church - Jackman Hall,
1900 Nicollet Avenue South. The
purpose of this meeting will be: To
continue to educate people about the
transition process and the coming
legislative session. To get further input
regarding the needs and priorities of
communitiesaffectedby AIDS. Tocreate
a more specific proposal about
prevention needs. To strengthen the
communications link between CB/D's
and national groups. To create a
national grassroots AIDS advocacy
effort.
Concerns of persons from more rural
states than New York and California
must be heard. Individuals from all
overMinnesota, NorthDakota, South
Dakota and Western Wisconsin are
being invited to this meeting.
There is no registration fee for this
meeting, it is open to the public. Two
representatives from this conference
will be elected to attend a follow-up
meeting in Washington, DC, on
February 27-28. To RSVP for lunch
and to obtain a complete agenda and
briefing materials, contact Rene
Whiterabbit at 612-721-9875.
Bv Gary Blair
The first out-patient chemical dependency treatment program for the
Amirican Indian man has opened in
the Twin Cities. It's called "United
Nations". Al Whiting, an Oglala
Lakota from the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota is the new
program's director. Whiting says he
is no stranger to the effects of alcohol
and drugs on the American Indian
male. He grew up surrounded by it.
Whiting told the Press, "There is
no program in the Twin Cities just for
the American Indian man. Violence
and chemical abuse has become an
excepted way for the American Indian
man to express himself. I grew up with
no role models, it is learned behavior.
Both my Grandfather and my Dad
were into behavior of hopelessness,"
he said.
Whiting feels that anger is the number one cause of chemical dependency
among American Indian makes. "It
seems to be passed on from one generation to another,'' he said.' 'He feels
he has lost his maleness; a lot of things
were taken away from him. He often
blames the whiteman for all of his
problems. Abandonment issues may
be part of his need for treatment.
Many have been victims of abusive
white foster homes. Those who have
been victims of sexual abuse may need
two years of treatment. Often his feelings are coupled with no job and his
lack of trust of non-Indians. Alcohol
or drugs is often seen as his only
escape."
Theprogram'sbrochurereads, "The
program is culturally sensitive designed especiallytohelpthe American
Indian man address and begin to resolve his problems with chemical
dependency. An holistic, comprehensive approach will be used to help the
American Indian man beginto realize
his potential as a male. A combination
of Native healing practices and con-
Al Whiting/Page 5
Column ist/Writer/Poet Jim Northup at BHS
'Compas' Writers workshop
By Larry Adams
Jim Northrup, the celebrated writer/
poet/columnist from the Fond du Lac
Nation in northeastern Minnesota was
amongthecrowdof 60peopleat Bemidji
High School's Cafeteria B Wednesday
night to share his writings, anecdotes
and humor.
Northrup was in Bemidji for a week-
long ' 'Compas Writers in Artists in the
Schools" workshop to assist Bemidji
High School students with their writing
skills as well as encouraging them as
writers in their English.classes.
A potluck dinner was held before the
readings, much to everyone's' delight.
The crowd was the usual mixture typical ofthe "melting pot ofthe north."
After everyone fulfilled one of their
basic biological drives, Northrup proceeded with' 'Question ofthe Month,''
a staple from his column which runs
monthly in the NAP as well as other
native publications across the land.
"Question; how can you they like to
play bingo?"
"Answer; their dog is named
' 'Dauber,'' Northrup said as the crowd
broke out in an uproar.
' 'This is the one that keeps me unemployed at Fond du Lac. And this is the
one that keeps me in trouble with the
editors," said Northrup.
"Question; after you parch the rice,
Northrup/Page 6
St Paul American Indian Center Now
By Gary Blair
American Indians living in St. Paul
are now faced with an even greater
concern about the future of the St.
Paul American Indian Center
(SPAIC) and the American Indian
Foster and Children Services
(AJFCS), a program administered and
housed at the Center.
At a special board of director's
meeting held on Feb. 2,1993, it was
learned that the latest round of
problems could force the center to
close its doors. Mike Poolaw,
chairperson, and Hubert Denny,
treasurer, delivered the bad news to a
group of fifteen people who attended
the meeting.
Poolaw said, "We are now facing a
$60,000 debt that could close the
center." The Press listened, hoping
to hear one board member accept
responsibility for the latest
mismanagement or to hear someone
question what impact this would have
on the Indian community, but nothing
was heard along those lines. Instead,
Mike Poolaw bragged that he was still
on the center's board of directors and
hadn't been pressured into resigning.
He said," See, I am still on the board."
Most recently the board members
were under fire for the loss of United
Way funding for the center's food
shelf program. Things came to a head
at a December meeting last year when
community members asked board
members to resign. They sighted
drinking by board members as the
cause for the center's present
conditions. As recently as January
16, 1993, volunteers were appointed
at a community meeting to serve as
temporary board members until an
official board of director's election
could be arranged.
According to David Manuel, one of
the community members who helped
organize the event, they were hoping
the present board members would
take the hint and resign. The center
hadn't had a board of director's
election for nearly three years and
this is also seen as part of the
mismanagement.
Poolaw told those at the meeting
that a former center director had
entered into a rental lease agreement
at the organization's former location
without permission from the board or
his knowledge and this is how the
$60,000 debt was created. He said,
"The lease was signed in October
which actually created a two year
leaseinsteadofaoneyear. Community
members who ask not to be named
$60,000 Debt Due To Board Mismanagement
restructure the organization, similar  the elderly, then things fell apart,'' he
to when the center was first started   said.
and all debt could be wiped out." Other community members say it
happened just after they fired the
director who signed the one year rental
lease that has since turned into a two
year lease. They say the center was
growing and was being operated like
a for-profit business. Expenses were
made based on project income.The
problems started when some of the
told the Press they were at the meeting
when that lease was signed. They say
Poolaw was right there as were other
board members who were on the board
at the time.
Hubert Denny then told the group,
" I don' t want to say too much because
we have the media here, but it's good
that they're here. Last Friday we
received a judgement against us. Our
attorney had told us not to worry
about the lawsuit; that we didn't have
to appear in court and that he would
handle it."
Both Poolaw and Denny then stated
how they plan to save the center.
Poolaw said, "We could file either a
chapter eleven or a chapter seven
bankruptcy. Under chapter eleven,
the SPAIC could be placed under a
five year debt repayment plan. Under
chapter seven they would be able to
Denny then told the group how he
planned to salvage the mishap. "We
could drop the present incorporation
and reincorporate under a new name
or incorporate the American Indian
Foster and Children Services
program, thus wiping out the old
debts and then have that program
serve as the fiscal agent for the
center."
Richard Manuel, who was at the
meeting and who has recently served
as interim director at the center, later
told the Press,' 'Three years ago they
were renting that whole building, all
except the beauty shop, and the rent
was $5000 per month. They had good
programs going at the time. They had
a youth program and a program for
profits didn't reach their intended
goals and some of the staff at the
center were laid off. When the board
realized the actual debt that existed
they fired the director and they had to
move and they've been stuck with the
old expenses ever since.
Manuel also said, "They can't do a
chapter eleven or seven. It would
Mismanagement/Page 6