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Recent NewsNewest video features MCK chiefs and Rama councillor originally a ‘no’ during his community’s referendum04/24/2012Electoral Officer issues statement re: petition04/20/20125 Guiding Principles " The highest probability of (economic) success was definitely with a land-based casino." Why a Casino?Through lengthy Phase 1 research, all areas of gaming were analyzed as potential areas for economic opportunity. It was determined that the highest probability of (economic) success was definitely with a land-based casino. Over the last 23 years, approximately 300 First Nations casinos have been developed throughout North America. These First Nations with casinos have experienced impressive financial success that has allowed them to develop and maintain much needed program services, and widely improve the standard of living within their communities. Throughout Kahnawà:ke's history, it has been fighting a losing battle to develop a sustainable economic base that would replace our community's current funding dependancy on outside governments. Kahnawà:ke does not have a large land base to utilize, nor do we have natural resources that can be developed for economic purposes (such as the resource-rich Cree First Nation). With limited lands, and a shortage of investment capital, Kahnawà:ke's economic options are few. Current First Nations Legislation - Due to the crippling effects of Canadian legislative and governmental policies toward First Nation peoples, economic development activities within First Nations territories have been practically non-existent. Within Canada specifically, the discriminatory nature of the Federal Government's Indian Act legislation has severely limited economic opportunities for First Nations nationwide. In almost all cases, it has become nearly impossible for First Nations to generate investment capital for economic ventures, nor has it been possible to access commercial financing (business loans or credit) for such ventures. Also as a result of the Indian Act, non-native companies are not willing to accept the risk associated with business partnerships with First Nations, being that large "immovable assets" (an example would be a commercial building) cannot be used as financial collateral in the event of the failure of an economic venture. This has led to a stagnant economic state for First Nations all across Canada. Due to its extremely impressive track record, the one exception to this economic mess has been the First Nations gaming industry. First Nations gaming activity has had a long and storied history, especially since the late 1970's. Here is a brief history of First Nations gaming: 1979 - The Seminole "Tribe" opened a high-stakes bingo hall on reservation lands in Hollywood, Florida on December 14, 1979, with the state of Florida immediately trying to shut it down. This was followed by a series of court battles that lead to a final decision by the United States Supreme Court in 1981. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Seminoles, affirming their right to operate a bingo hall (Seminole Tribe of Florida v. Butterworth). 1987 - The United States Supreme Court ruled that federally-recognized "Tribes" could operate casinos outside state jurisdiction because the tribes were considered sovereign entities by the United States (California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians). 1988 - The United States Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) to establish the rules for the operation and regulation of First Nations gaming. The Act provides that federally-recognized "Tribes" may conduct gaming activities within the limitations of a gaming compact (agreement) negotiated between the First Nation and the state in question. The final approval for the First Nations gaming operation would come from the US Department of the Interior. Facts - Here are some of the basic facts concerning First Nations gaming activity:
Opportunity for Kahnawà:ke - Due to its excellent accessibility to major highways, and being in a very close proximity to a large (over 2 million people) and growing non-native population, Kahnawà:ke has arguably one of the best locations for a casino operation of any First Nation in all of North America. This advantageous location, combined with a large Mohawk workforce within Kahnawà:ke, provides a very unique economic development opportunity that other First nations can only dream of.
Why a Casino? |
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