wfn.org | Native Americans discuss gambling

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3335 notes).

Note 3332 by UMNS on Dec. 12, 1996 at 10:34 Eastern (4905 characters).

SEARCH: gambling, Native American, OIMC, United Methodist
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the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
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CONTACT: Thomas S. McAnally                620(10-21-34-71B){3332}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             Dec. 10, 1996

United Methodists sponsor Native
American consultation on gambling

by Ginny Underwood*

     OKLAHOMA CITY (UMNS) --  It pits brother against brother,
divides churches and tribes. Yet, it is giving some Native
communities hope for a better future. 
     The gambling phenomenon was the center of discussion during
the first ever Native American Consultation on Gambling held here
Dec. 6-8.  The consultation, sponsored by the United Methodist
Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference (OIMC) and the
denomination's Washington-based Board of Church and Society
(GBCS), brought together tribal leaders and United Methodists on
both sides of the issue.  
     According to the Rev. Thom White Wolf Fassett, GBCS staff
executive and a member of the Seneca Nation, what happened more
than 200 years ago is the very fabric of what is being dealt with
today. 
     "History indicates that Native American lands taken were
those that offered greatest economic potential," Fassett said. 
"The relocation of tribes has resulted in their being far removed
from industry development."  
     Collectively, tribes once held more than 2 billion acres. 
Through treaties and laws, the Indian land base is only 130th of
what it once was.  "Indians have been forced into poor economic
development where poverty has been the result," Fassett said.
     In exchange for land, treaties provided protection for
tribes,  placing tribes on the same level as other sovereign
nations like Monaco.  Sovereignty, as defined in the 1995 American
Indian Digest, is supreme and complete political independence and
self-government.  
     "Sovereignty must be characterized as a political
relationship instead of based on race," said Frank Chavez, co-
chair of the New Mexico Indian Gaming Association.  Chavez, along
with many tribal leaders present during the consultation, said a
tribe has the right to form a strong economic base for its people.
     "What differentiates tribal gambling from corporate gambling
is that most of the money benefits tribal members," Chavez said. 
"It's helping us restore our economy and allowing us to do things
that will preserve our culture."
     The United Methodist Book of Discipline condemns gambling,
describing it as a "menace to society; deadly to the best interest
of moral, social, economic and spiritual life; and destructive of
good government."  The Book of Discipline also supports Native
American sovereignty.
     Many Native American United Methodists also take an anti-
gambling stand. "I still believe gaming is not the answer," said
the Rev. Marvin Abrams, pastor of the Native American United
Methodist Church in Anaheim, Calif.  "We have an opportunity as a
church to support self-determination and work to help tribes
identify other forms of economic development."
     Evelyn Elm, member of the Oneida United Methodist Church,
Green Bay, Wis., urged church officials not to lose perspective. 
"The United Methodist Church needs to remember the spirituality of
our people and make sure that is the focus, not gaming."  
     The United Methodist Church helped to establish the National
Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, staffed by the Rev. Tom
Grey. He has led fights against the expansion of gambling in 26
states, encountering Native American gaming on three occasions. 
"The fight was not to attack Native Americans," Grey told
participants.  "The sovereignty was recognized. The fight was to
stop the expansion of gambling so it could be studied to see if it
is positive or negative." 
     Dialogue from the consultation points out advocates on both
sides of the issue agree on one area -- although gambling is the
"disease," tribes and churches also must look at the contributing
factors.
     "The need for tribal gaming is born out of desperation," said
Fassett. "It is a reference point indicating that something has
run amok and the church needs to confront these issues."  
     Recommendations from the initial consultation include more
dialogues on economic development for Native Americans and
advocacy for Native issues.
     "The ones that really need to make some kind of a statement
about gambling are the Native American people, both church and
traditional leaders," said Alvin Deer, director of the Native
American International Caucus.  "Our Native groups must help to
initiate a stand and advocate for it."
                              #  #  #
     * Underwood is Director of the Native American Communications
Office for United Methodist Communications.

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