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Dave Matheson, Chief Executive Officer for the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Casino, addresses the importance of Indian gaming for the Schitsu'umsh and for Indian people. Indian gaming is "a tool of hope" that helps break the cycle of poverty that has plagued Indian people of the past. Part 1 (interviewed and recorded by Quanah Matheson (Dave's son), October 2002)
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"It’s a night and day difference for our people to go from poverty to prosperity, from a culture of welfare to break that welfare and replace hopelessness and despair with opportunity and hope," says Dave Matheson, CEO of the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Casino. Unlike what some critics of Indian gaming would hold, "In our first three years of operation, the crime rate around our reservation went down 30 percent each year," Matheson explained. A study conducted by the northern Idaho Tribes (Kootenai, Nez Perce and Coeur d’Alene) and the University of Idaho in 2002 found that Idaho’s Indian gaming facilities support 4,455 Idaho jobs, attract more than 1 million out-of-state visitors annually, generate $83 million in wages and earnings, $250 million in sales, and $10 million in state and local taxes each year.
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Dave Matheson continues his discussion of the importance of Indian gaming for all the communities of the region. Gaming is as "hunting" was in the past, bringing home "jobs, opportunities, and the "great hope" for the people and the future generations. Part 2.
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The Coeur d’Alene Casino was established in 1993 at an initial cost of $2.7 million dollars. Electing not to accept outside funding, within three years of operations, the Casino had paid off its ten-year mortgage and was running a profit. A $14 million expansion soon followed in 1998 and was paid for completely. In 1999, another $32 million expansion was initiated, including the additions to the motel, developing a sporting arena, an amusement and RV park, and a 18 hole golf course, which will open in 2003. In addition to offering the pull tab machine games, the Casino regularly sponsors country-western and rock-and-roll musical concerts, professional boxing matches, and always provides wonderful dining and vacation packages.
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Ernie Stensgar, Coeur d'Alene Tribal Chairman, considers the many benefits of Indian gaming and how the sovereign rights of the tribe are being challenged by the state and special interest groups. (interviewed and edited by Rodney Frey, September 2002)
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In a Coeur d’Alene Tribal decision, profits from the gaming operations go to support a variety of social services endeavors, including elder’s programs and education. In the year 2000, almost a million dollars was donated, "without strings," to the Tribal School, and to area public schools and colleges, both on and off the reservation. The funding supports both Indian and non-Indian education in the region.
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Alice Koskela, Legal Counsel for the Tribe, discusses some of the legal background relating to Indian gaming, including the nature of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and "state gaming compacts." (interviewed and edited by Rodney Frey, August 2002)
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Congress enacted the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988 in which Indian gaming operations and the state within which the reservation is located must agree to a "compact." The act allows Tribes to use their lands and resources to construct and manage their own entertainment enterprises. The compact also stipulates that Tribes can offer gaming at the same level the state allows for itself. In the instance of Idaho, the state sanctions lottery games. The Coeur d’Alene Casino only operates electronic machines based on the same principles and odds as the state of Idaho's lottery.
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Alice Koskela considers some of the economic benefits of Indian gaming and dispels many of the misconceptions often associated with it, relating to outside influences and criminal activities. (interviewed and edited by Rodney Frey, August 2002)
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© Coeur d'Alene Tribe 2002
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