I decided I want to learn more about Native Americans in Minnesota this semester because I took an American Indian class freshman year and since then I have wanted to know more.
I assume that many Native Americans in Minnesota are making a lot of money off of the casino industry and that they don't have to work or pay many taxes.
I learned a little bit about the Indian casinos in my class, but I have heard statements like that from my family members and even a friend who is part Native American.
The most difficult challenge in doing research on this population will probaby be finding enough information about the population and their ties to the casino. I'm keeping an open mind to whatever the results are that I find. I know I don't know much about them and that is why I choose to do my project on them!
Hi Kristy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honest post.
I believe that you will find a great deal of information on Native Americans in Minnesota and their relationships to tribal casinos, whether they are making money or not, etc....
Back in my younger days, I used to work at a bingo hall at a tribal casino called Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Nation, in southeastern Connecticut. It was an interesting experience. Across the river from Mohegan Sun was Foxwoods Casino, the largest casino in North America and therefore the largest tribal casino, owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Nation.
I can't say with 100% certainty that the Native Americans who worked for those casinos made more money than their non-tribal co-workers, but I know that the majority of their non-tribal co-workers were struggling financially.
BTW--I forgot to tell you that it was a pleasure meeting you on the first day of class, you will definitely find the answers to your questions while you take IM 204, and I look forward to working with you on how to do that!
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